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My Seven-Year-Old Daughter Has Epilepsy, So I’m Trying To Sell A Fancy Version Of Her Teddy Bear For A Million Dollars To Fund Research
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My Seven-Year-Old Daughter Has Epilepsy, So I’m Trying To Sell A Fancy Version Of Her Teddy Bear For A Million Dollars To Fund Research

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In late 2018, I was out for dinner with my son Roarke and daughter Lila.We were having a grand chat when, mid-sentence, Lila froze, with her arms in the air. Her eyes rolled back in her head, and then she toppled off the side of the chair. Out of nowhere… I thought she had passed away.

Then, she started convulsing uncontrollably on the ground. For what seemed like forever. Then, she was out. Completely limp. Unresponsive. It was the worst moment of my life. The restaurant called an ambulance and I panicked and tried to get her to wake up. But she wouldn’t respond.

I thought maybe she was choking. But her jaw was clenched shut. I prised her mouth open, and blood trickled out. But at least she was breathing.

Eventually, the ambulance arrived. It was horrific. She had another seizure by the side of the restaurant. Then another in the ambulance on the way to the hospital.

We discovered later that she was having tonic-clonic seizures. But they sent us home without any answers. Apparently, some people just have a seizure out of the blue and never have another one.

Then, she had three more of these tonic-clonic seizures a few weeks later at school. Then, some more another few weeks after that. She also developed this sigh/hiccup that she would do forty or fifty times a day whilst staring off into the distance for a short period of time. These are called absence seizures.

Lila was diagnosed with epilepsy, and it has completely changed our lives.

More info: milliondollarteddybear.com

My daughter Lila was diagnosed with epilepsy—she’s one of 250,000 Australians with epilepsy

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Here’s Lila undergoing an EEG to test her epilepsy.

She is a fearless little girl, but we have to pull her back from climbing trees, swimming, or water skiing, in case she has a seizure in a dangerous place.

More than 250,000 Australians have epilepsy, which is pretty staggering. Let alone the millions more family and friends who are affected by it.

When I found out that Epilepsy Action Australia had a funding shortfall because of the effect of COVID, I had to do something. And that something is the Million Dollar Teddy Bear

(Lila and me with Baby Bear―the inspiration for the Million Dollar Teddy Bear)

So, when I found out that the wonderful people at Epilepsy Action Australia had a funding shortfall because of the effect of COVID, I had to do something. And that something is the Million Dollar Teddy Bear.

Yep, we are hoping to sell one teddy to an amazing philanthropist with a heart of gold for $1,000,000.

Why a teddy bear?

Well, one of the many wonderful things Epilepsy Action Australia does is to send young kids with epilepsy their own Cuddly Ted-E-Bear (the E stands for epilepsy), which helps them feel the love and support they can get in a very tangible way. Lila has one (she calls him Baby Bear) and he is a cherished possession.

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Here’s the Million Dollar Teddy Bear himself. We have dubbed him Maximillion

His clothes have been designed (and handmade) by Australia’s 2019 National Designer of the Year, Christian Kimber (whose brother has epilepsy).

With this million dollars, Epilepsy Action Australia will be able to provide:
– support for people with epilepsy of all ages, from very young children to their families;
– seven-days-a-week phone support, with a trained nurse at the end of the line;
– epilepsy education for the broader community;
– campaigning for new treatments;
– and raising awareness of epilepsy and its impacts.

Lila even dyed her hair purple for Purple Day―the annual Epilepsy Awareness Day

Teddy is out and about spreading the word. Here he is chilling with Tommy Little

Lachy the Purple Wiggle is supporting the Million Dollar Teddy Bear. His brother has epilepsy

Teddy getting his fashion on with the Christian Kimber team

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Teddy going for a walk with Jessica Rowe

Teddy relaxing with Melissa Doyle

Teddy’s private lesson with former Socceroo captain Paul Wade

Teddy chatting with Peter Fitzsimons

Teddy hanging out with Russel Howcroft

Teddy with acting legend Nadine Garner

The Million Dollar Teddy Bear hard at work editing the launch video

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We made a launch video narrated by the incredible actor Nadine Garner and shot at the incredible Rippon Lea Historic Mansion

Go to our website to learn more and spread the word!

If anyone happens to know any squillionaires, send them there! It would mean the world to my daughter Lila. And to the millions more who are affected by this mysterious neurological disorder.

If you don’t have a million dollars, every little bit can help, find out how you can donate here.

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Alex Wadelton

Alex Wadelton

Author, Community member

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I think of stuff for a living. Stuff that's good for the world. And stuff that makes you think.

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Alex Wadelton

Alex Wadelton

Author, Community member

I think of stuff for a living. Stuff that's good for the world. And stuff that makes you think.

Violeta Draseikaitė

Violeta Draseikaitė

Moderator, BoredPanda staff

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My name is Violeta and I am an editor here at Bored Panda. I love reading memes for a living. It’s obviously much more than that, but I appreciate the variety of topics, information, and pics I get to see every day and share with the world! Those funny memes really make my day too. Being born in the ’90s in post-Soviet Lithuania speaks more about me than I’d like to admit. I’m still learning about the world and myself, but I do love my friends, traveling, art, and my cat. My favorite fact to share about myself is that I used to hide meatballs in my friend’s pockets at lunch so I could go play outside. I wish all those meatballs could find their way back to me someday.

Read less »

Violeta Draseikaitė

Violeta Draseikaitė

Moderator, BoredPanda staff

My name is Violeta and I am an editor here at Bored Panda. I love reading memes for a living. It’s obviously much more than that, but I appreciate the variety of topics, information, and pics I get to see every day and share with the world! Those funny memes really make my day too. Being born in the ’90s in post-Soviet Lithuania speaks more about me than I’d like to admit. I’m still learning about the world and myself, but I do love my friends, traveling, art, and my cat. My favorite fact to share about myself is that I used to hide meatballs in my friend’s pockets at lunch so I could go play outside. I wish all those meatballs could find their way back to me someday.

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lilarayner avatar
Biana Vacker
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have almost NEVER read something with my name in it, (lila) and it just so happens that the one time, it is a girl with a sickness. This also means a lot to me because my little brother has had MULTIPLE illnesses. (Down Syndrome, ALL, Blood clots, ect.) thank you

dizasterdeb avatar
Rosie Hamilton
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Aw, that's such a lot for a little boy to have to deal with. May things only improve for you all.

Load More Replies...
omkhasnis avatar
Guy on the internet
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don't have a million, but I would totally get a loan. Give Lila best wishes <3

julirucker avatar
julia
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

hope lila is well, and so is her family. i wish i could buy this bear and help the 250000 australians

boredpundits avatar
BoredPundits
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My mother's name was Lila! Your little girl is gorgeous. I'm donating now and wishing you and your daughter all the very best.

dreamwolf avatar
Dream Wolf
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

A million dollars is a lot of money to have lying around and I think many people won't be able to do it (so it might take a while to sell the bear). Is there any way you could could set up something like a go fund me for that bear (it's probably the wrong platform but something like that) so that more of us could donate in small increments to make up the cost of the bear? It's just I want to help but I don't have 1 million dollars.

shaynameidela avatar
Dorothy Parker
Community Member
3 years ago

This comment has been deleted.

lilarayner avatar
Biana Vacker
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have almost NEVER read something with my name in it, (lila) and it just so happens that the one time, it is a girl with a sickness. This also means a lot to me because my little brother has had MULTIPLE illnesses. (Down Syndrome, ALL, Blood clots, ect.) thank you

dizasterdeb avatar
Rosie Hamilton
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Aw, that's such a lot for a little boy to have to deal with. May things only improve for you all.

Load More Replies...
omkhasnis avatar
Guy on the internet
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don't have a million, but I would totally get a loan. Give Lila best wishes <3

julirucker avatar
julia
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

hope lila is well, and so is her family. i wish i could buy this bear and help the 250000 australians

boredpundits avatar
BoredPundits
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My mother's name was Lila! Your little girl is gorgeous. I'm donating now and wishing you and your daughter all the very best.

dreamwolf avatar
Dream Wolf
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

A million dollars is a lot of money to have lying around and I think many people won't be able to do it (so it might take a while to sell the bear). Is there any way you could could set up something like a go fund me for that bear (it's probably the wrong platform but something like that) so that more of us could donate in small increments to make up the cost of the bear? It's just I want to help but I don't have 1 million dollars.

shaynameidela avatar
Dorothy Parker
Community Member
3 years ago

This comment has been deleted.

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