A birthday is always a cause for celebration, but for local teen Taylor Ritchie, turning 17 on Victoria Day Monday was a definite milestone.
Before she was two, Taylor was diagnosed with intractable epilepsy, which causes sometimes daily tonic-clonic (formerly known as grand mal) seizures.
"She is at a high risk for what they call sudden epileptic death, and that's where children or people like Taylor with this type of epilepsy pass away in their sleep and they don't know why," said her mother, Corrine Ritchie. "So we live with that every day, not knowing if she's going to wake up."
Taylor's birthday wish this year was to hold a fundraiser for the B.C. Epilepsy Society, to help find a cure for this disorder that can cause different types of seizures.
About 40,000 people in B.C. have epilepsy, and about one in 100 will develop the disorder within their lifetime, according to the society.
"There's so many people that have no idea what epilepsy is and maybe it'll be a good idea if many people know what it is and how to fix it," Taylor said.
In support of Taylor's wish, the Vernon-based Celtic rock band Cod Gone Wild will perform with Newfoundland's Dave Whitty at The Columbia Theatre in New Westminster this Thursday, May 30 as a benefit for the epilepsy society.
Proceeds from the event will go towards the society's programming and research across the province.
Ritchie said her daughter is looking forward to the show and is optimistic this event will help researchers get closer to finding a cure for the disorder that has so greatly impacted her life.
"She knows that they may not find a cure in her lifetime, but she wants to raise money for the other kids so that one day other kids won't have to go through what she's gone through," Ritchie said.
The show starts at 7:30 p.m. with doors opening at 7 p.m. at The Columbia Theatre, at 530 Columbia St. As well as the performance, there will also be a silent auction and 50/50 draw. Tickets are $25, available at the door, or at www.thecolumbia.ca.
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