Kyle’s Mom

Last week I was in Watkins Glenn. My friend, Donna Coggins, came down one day to spend the afternoon. We had lunch at a lovely restaurant overlooking beautiful Seneca Lake, poked around in some of the little shops in the village, and ended the afternoon with ice cream (Donna LOVES ice cream). It was a nice day. I always feel better after I’ve been with Donna.

I’ve known Donna for nine years. We met after the loss of her son, Kyle, who also died from Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP). I think the thing that struck both of us the most when we first talked was how similar Kyle and Christopher were. Both loved the NY Yankees and were huge fans of the Dave Matthews Band. They were large in stature and personality. Their friends were attracted to their humor and compassion. They each adored their sisters. Kyle attended LeMoyne College, Christopher Stetson University. Both had epilepsy and died at the age of 21.

When I’m with Donna, it’s easy to talk about Kyle and Christopher.  Each lived an amazing life.  Donna gives me a safe place to be.  Sometimes there are tears but there are also plently of smiles.  Donna is warm, loving and has a calmness about her that is comforting and inspiring. She looks to the future and how she can make a difference each day in Kyle’s memory. She is a wonderful mom!

Thank you to Donna, Dennis, Colleen, and Courtney and their family and friends for their support of Citizens United for Research in Epilepsy’s (CURE) SUDEP research program. Thank you for standing with us!