Ashton’s Story

Written by Ashton’s Mom

Hello friends, my name is Taralyn. I am a single mom of 4 kiddos: Joshua (24), twins Ashton & Makayla (18) and my youngest Deavin (15).

My son Ashton, since about 6 months old, was diagnosed with epilepsy. It had started off with spasms that happened daily 100’s of times a day. Sometimes when Ashton was about 2 years old, he started having generalized episodeswhich would and do last up to 15 minutes each time. Ashton also has been diagnosed with non-verbal low functioning autism. He needs myself (Taralyn) to be his caregiver for everything: bathing, feeding, diaper changes, everyday functions a typical young adult can do, Ashton requires help with. Cognitive wise he is about 6-12 months old.

Ashton has had a lot of different kinds of treatments for his epilepsy including keto diets many, many medications which he still takes daily as well as a VNS inserted along with 4 surgeries. None of which have helped lessen the length, however, have been able lessen the amount he has every week. Now we have about 1-3 big ones a month. Ashton is currently being considered for a big brain surgery now that he has transitioned out of Sick Kids, it is a very overwhelming thing to have happen.

Over the years Ashton and myself have spent many many nights and weeks in hospital. We have constant visits to many different doctors. The emotional and financial battle I’ve had to take it all on myself the last 10 years since my ex husband left has been nothing but short of struggles.

We were connected with the Sarah Tapley Foundation through social work at Sick Kids and within days Abby got in contact with me. From the moment she reached out she was very supportive to our family she didn’t look down on the struggles and didn’t make me feel like a failure. She was just there to listen when I needed her and help.

The Sarah Tapley Foundation was able to help take off some of the financial stress I was going through. This provided me and my kids with respite help for Ashton so I could focus on helping his siblings and be at their school events, or simply even able to just go out and take a breather for myself for an hour or two. Abby was always quick to respond to my calls or emails.

She connected me with other families going through similar struggles with the transitions, she made me feel heard.

My family and myself can never thank Abby and the Sarah Tapley Foundation for everything they have done for us over the last few months. We are forever grateful.

God Bless

Taralyn Robinson & family