I was a Loadmaster on a MC-130P Combat Shadow during the Tsunami Relief Effort in 2004/2005, seeing mass devastation, and unworldly damage. My world was changed just a few months later when I sustained a dislocated and fractured right leg, and Traumatic Brain Injury. I went through the VA gambit, twice tasting the working end of loaded firearm before I finally decided to quit all medications until I found a better alternative. Sleeping medications, anti-depressants, anti-this and anti-that; I knew I couldn’t continue that pace for long. After speaking with family, friends, and fellow veterans, I decided to try cannabis for the very first time on my 28th birthday with some of the most loving people I have in my life. The benefits I see not only help with my PTSD, but also positively benefit my physical health, physical abilities and day-to-day cognitive function.

Since my introduction in 2012, I’ve competed in 4 Warrior Games, and traveled with MSI Mining to install gold mining equipment around the world, and served as the Director of West Coast Operations for the Road Warrior Foundation- providing Adventure Therapy to our military veterans. No other medication in my life has helped me more than Cannabis and CBD. I hope to continue to show the benefits of this organic option as time goes on.

Our four-year-old son, Ayden, was born fourteen weeks premature suffering a grade four intraventricular hemorrhage. Along with this brain bleed, he suffered a myriad of issues, which compounded the severity of injury. Shortly after Ayden’s first birthday we started noticing abnormal eye, arm, and leg movements. Given the circumstance, we knew he would have developmental delay. However, we soon learned that these abnormal movements were in fact catastrophic seizures further regressing his development. It was at the age of 18 months that he was diagnosed with both spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy and infantile spasms, an epileptic syndrome characterized by an EEG pattern termed hypsarrhythmia. This hypsarrhythmia is essentially a chaotic and disorganized pattern of brain activity that is, in Ayden’s case, an expression of brain injury.

Initially, it was uncommon for Ayden to go even an hour without seizure activity. After failing countless pharmaceuticals that only left him with long lasting side effects, we began exploring cannabinoid therapy. Thanks to the Realm of Caring, we found an amazing level of knowledge and support. As soon as we started CBD oil, we noticed a significant decrease in seizures. We also began getting eye contact and even his first belly laugh! It was on the EEG following CBD treatment that our neurologist found he no longer had the hypsarrhythmia.

Though this has improved, Ayden still must cope with the painful debility associated with his muscle spasticity. This exaggerated muscle tone effects all four of his extremities and significantly impairs his daily functioning. Unfortunately, treatment requires more than just CBD, and that is something we do not have access to in our state. If we fail to relieve his spasticity, we face the real possibility of Ayden needing invasive orthopedic and neurosurgery. Contractures, scoliosis and hip dislocation are the most common conditions requiring corrective surgery. Surgeries like selective dorsal rhizotomy, tendon lengthening or transfer, osteotomy and limb reconstruction are some of the most painful surgeries to endure. Imagine your body uncontrollably contorting and being “stuck” in painful positions and instead of being overly sedated from pharmaceuticals, getting relief from cannabis and actually being able to make developmental progress. We know cannabis can help with this as we have traveled to try this for him. Not only does it provide physical relief, but cognitive improvement as well. Ayden is non verbal. The month we tried cannabis, he said “Mom” for the first time. That same day while waiting on an elevator, he looked at a stranger, lifted his head off my shoulder, and said “Hi” to her. This is the relief we see when Ayden can try cannabis. We are fighting tirelessly to have access in our state so Ayden can have that 24/7.

Before Cannabis: Addelyn was born with a significant brain malformation that causes her to have seizures that are very difficult to control. When Addy’s seizures started at 5 months of age, we fought them with an army of traditional antiepileptic medications legally prescribed by her epileptologist. It was then we learned the dangers of these medications. Overly medicated, Addelyn basically stopped living. She slept 22 out of 24 hours each day, suffered significant developmental regression, and stopped interacting with the world around her, including her loved ones. We carried her body through life with us for months and were provided with palliative care counseling for families with a terminally ill child.

After Cannabis:
Within five minutes of Addelyn’s first dose of a high-CBD oil, she smiled. At that point, there was no doubt that this treatment option would make a positive difference in her life. Over the next year, we slowly added more cannabis to her treatment regimen and reduced the standard pharmaceutical drugs that were holding her hostage. Slowly, we got more Addy back and maintained reasonable seizure control. Addy is not “all better”, but is SO much better than she was. Today, she smiles, laughs, hugs her brother, and is even eating by mouth once again- all skills robbed from her by the traditional prescription medications she was prescribed. Her development continues to amaze us. Last week, Addy said, “Momma” for the first time and she is learning to use an augmentative communication device. She even attends preschool with her typical peers. Our family is SO thankful to have found a safe and effective therapy that has given Addy a quality of life that is worth living again.

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