Finding Treasure in the Search Bar
by Lili Moreland
Our story began in September 2022. The day began like a normal day as we got ready to pick up some family members that were coming over to visit. When we got home, after getting ready for dinner, I found my son Dante, who was five years old at the time, lying down on the floor in his room, as if he fell asleep. This seemed odd, but I picked him up and put him on my bed, thinking he was just tuckered out. I continued to serve dinner and checked on Dante every 5 minutes, but something seemed off. He would open his eyes and stare into space and not acknowledge me.
After an hour, we decided to take him to the hospital for an evaluation, even if no fever or any other symptoms were present. At the hospital, Dante was evaluated, and after an EEG, we were told that Dante had seizure activity and had most likely had a seizure. We were sent home with emergency meds, and the doctor told us not to use them unless the seizure was longer than five minutes.
As a parent of a five-year-old child, the guilt I felt was indescribable. I kept asking myself, ‘How could I not know that this had happened???,’ ‘What exactly did he experience?!’, and ‘How can he ever sleep alone without being in danger?’ Needless to say, I was petrified by all these questions. I was desperate to find answers for my son, so I started searching for help wherever I could find it.
I don’t recall how during that long, long search, but I was able to find JoshProvides. That same night, I left a message asking for help. I didn’t even know what kind of help I needed, I just desperately needed support and understanding. The next morning, I received a phone call from Monica. She was God’s answer to my prayer. Monica was so loving, sweet, and supportive to me. She was so sweet and full of both answers and hope.
Monica told me about a grant for a SAMi Camera that would bring me peace of mind during the night. I’m going to be honest, I would have borrowed any money needed to be able to get my son this miracle camera that would allow all of us to rest. Thanks to JoshProvides, I applied for the grant, and I was so grateful and thankful for the aid that this grant and the SAMi Camera would bring me during my once-restless nights.
During our conversation, Monica also shared with me information about a support group that she felt would benefit me. Regarding the support group, I can only say that it is like a family meeting. There is no judgement, immense understanding and always an ear to listen to whatever questions we ask. My son Dante is now eight years old, and still too young to benefit from the group himself. Still, I am learning about epilepsy firsthand from individuals that are heroes fighting this battle daily. I am greatly encouraged to know that they don’t allow epilepsy to define who they are.
In November of 2025, after I started a fundraiser to get a service/seizure dog for our son Dante, once again JoshProvides came through, by helping us with a grant to get Annabelle. Annabelle is a lovely, precious, and invaluable addition to our family, and we couldn’t have gotten her this quickly without the help of JoshProvides. She has not just been important when it comes to Dante’s seizures, but his mood as a whole. As a service dog she excels in his therapeutic comfort.
Dante still suffers from seizures, but Annabelle has been a godsend when it comes to treating him. We are eternally grateful for all that JoshProvides has done and continues to do through the care that they show not only to Dante or me as his parent, but also every person that picks up the phone with the same desperation that I had when I reached out. I am blessed to be part of the JoshProvides family. There are not enough words in the dictionary to say, “Thank you, from the bottom of my heart.”
