My son, Caleb Kern, was diagnosed with epilepsy when he was nine months old in March of 1991. Since then he has had a variety of seizures and multiple seizure medications have been tried to control them. We do not know the cause of his seizures. He has had a pilocytic astroctyoma tumor in his left temporal lobe and endured a brain tumor resection in March of 2009 totally separate from his epilepsy.

He has lost three years of his memory and has struggled with many learning difficulties so school has been a struggle.

Caleb has been in the hospital several times to see the extent of and how often he seizes. He was hospitalized for seven days in May 2010 to find areas of his brain where his seizures start. He has two starters and could have surgery on one side, but still would not control seizures. So we have decided to wait and try a ketogenic diet to control or stop his seizures for two-three years.

Caleb is a team captain and his team will be walking in the Stroll for Epilepsy, August 12, 2010 at the Eagles Club in Rochester to benefit people affected by seizures. All donations that Caleb raises will go to the Epilepsy Foundation of Minnesota. The proceeds from this event will go directly to programs that help educate, connect and empower people affected by seizures. Dollars raised in each community stay in that community to provide awareness.

Please sponsor Caleb Kern's challenging cause by donating to his team.

Ways to donate are: send a check to the Epilepsy Foundation of MN or mail donations to Caleb Kern at 307 5th Street NW, Kasson, MN 55944.

You can also give at his garage sale fundraiser which will have snow cones, cookies, pop and pearl bead crafts, or in cans placed at different businesses located in Kasson that are marked "Stroll for Epilepsy for Caleb Kern".

Thank you for your support,

Sue and Caleb Kern