As legislators and lawyers battle over who can grow marijuana in Florida this week, neighbors of a 10-year-old Stuart boy with a rare form of epilepsy are getting ready to hold a bake sale and fundraiser to help him find new possible treatments.
Medicinal Marijuana may be one of them, but more research into neurological disorders and the impact of the drug may open new doors for people like Justin Parsons, a young man with Dravet Syndrome.
Since he was 3 months old he’s suffered chronic seizures. Dravet Syndrome is genetic, but Justin’s seizures can be managed with medications. He takes 12 pills every day, and gets monthly shots at the University of Miami Children’s Hospital.
Justin’s doctors say Medicinal marijuana shows promise in lowering the seizure counts, for not only Justin, but many with Parkinson’s tremors as well. Initial research on the drug shows a lessening impact on the onset of seizures.
Why with something as common as epilepsy is there not more than 20 medicines or more research?
Dravet syndrome and epilepsy is one of the most underfunded and under researched diseases in the nation. But the disease may get a boost from the new medicinal marijuana research, as the drug when used medically for the right reasons, has shown to help improve neurological dysfunctions.
The Justin Parsons Neighborhood Holiday Fundraiser Party will feature dinner catered by Park Avenue BBQ, a raffle, silent auction, bake sale and golf cart parade and will be held at the Rocky Point Marina. They are asking for a small donation of $10.00 for adults and $5.00 for children under 12. For more information check out dravetfoundation.org.
