Please Support the Dell Children’s Epilepsy Playroom
Dear Friends and Family,
I think most of you know how dear Dell Children’s Neurology is to our family. Our brother, Oscar, has had four brain surgeries at Dell, and countless extended stays in the Epilepsy Monitoring Unit (EMU). Patients of the EMU are “plugged into” their EEGs at all times (days, weeks, months), and are not allowed to leave their room, and many times, even their bed.
Creating a safe, interactive playroom within the EMU will allow kids to leave their room and “plug in” in a new, stimulating and safe sensory room. The EMU playroom has countless benefits, including normative play, distraction from the EEG, and sensory integration. The activities in the playroom can also be helpful when doctors are needing to capture data and seizure activity on the EEG, and the special floor will provide a safe place if the patient were to seize or fall.
We are so excited to take on the honor of raising $50,000 to make this sensory playroom a reality. We want all future patients in the EMU to feel as at home as possible, be able to pass the time in a positive and safe way, and make the difficult days and nights of testing more tolerable.
Thank you for your supporting the future of the Dell Children’s Epilepsy Playroom.
With Gratitude,
Lulu (18), Oscar (16) and Beatrice (13) Wittenbraker
“As a former patient I can say that when you’re in the hospital, there is not much to enjoy especially as a little kid. This new room could make a kid’s experience much better while also being productive in capturing seizures on the EEG. Dell Children’s has been nothing but great to me in the past, and I would love to return the favor.”
– Oscar
“As Oscar’s older sister, it was always hard knowing he had to stay in a hospital bed for days or weeks while my sister and I were playing with friends, and doing our daily activities. This sensory playroom will be life-changing for patients like Oscar, because they will have fun and be kids while still having to stay in the hospital. Child patients have to undergo so much from a young age, and a renovation like this will bring joy and a sense of security for the kids, parents, and even staff.”
– Lulu
“I wanted to give back to Dell Neurology since they have helped Oscar since he was a baby. I love that the EMU will have a fun and stimulating room that is also a safe place for doctors to observe kids and gather the seizure information they need.”
– Beatrice
“Through all he has been through, Oscar’s outlook on life has been an inspiration to me. He has pushed me to continue advocating for children with epilepsy, and early intervention.”
– Dr. Dave Clarke (Oscar’s Neurologist)