Abby Story - So Brave – So Strong

Abby M. Swartz, born February 9th, 2002, was 3 months early with no serious issue other than a small heart problem, patent ductus arteriosus. At age 1, we ended up at Phoenix Children's Hospital for 1 week because of seizures, and there we learned she has epilepsy and mild cerebral palsy. But, when you look at Abby you can't tell she is ill and has major learning disabilities. Actually, the one thing you will notice about Abby is her SMILE. We're biased, but to us she looks like an angel from G-d. Her seizures have increase over the years and there have been other complications (chronic pneumonia, asthma, and hypothyroidism). Now, at age 5, we check her into the hospital for seizure observation because medicines do not completely eliminate them, and the doctors are out of answers, we find out she has four brain tubers on her brain and has tuberous sclerosis. Karen and Jeff, Abby's parents, dread the probably inevitable brain surgery to remove the lesions. This disease affecting her life in all ways (possibly even her offspring).

Abigail in Hebrew means father of joy. She is a joy to be around though most of the time you can't make out most of what she says because of speech. Karen and I can't begin to tell you the attention and smiles she brings to peoples faces.  There has been many lab work done, surgeries and procedures, meeting doctors but through it all Abigail has been a spot of joy in times of not a fun childhood. We are truly blessed to have such a wonderful gift from G-d.