Girl with epilepsy gets a shot at normal life

SUNGAI PETANI: Having battled epilepsy since she was a baby, eightyear-old Erinna Natashya Mohd Sohaimi (pic) now has a chance to lead a normal life.

Thanks to generous Malaysians, Star Foundation has managed to raise enough funds for Erinna to undergo surgery that may give her a 60% to 70% chance of stopping her seizures.

The surgery will be performed at Ara Damansara

Medical Centre in Selangor.

Erinna developed epileptic seizures when she was eight months old and has spent much of her life in and out of hospital.

Her uncontrollable seizures, which became more severe and occurred daily after she turned three despite being on medical therapy, have caused her development to regress.

Erinna, who turns nine next month, has never been to school due to her condition.

Erinna’s father Mohd Sohaimi Shafie, 47, contacted Star Foundation for financial aid after being told that the subsidised cost of the surgery would be about RM48,000.

Sohaimi has three other children aged 16 to 22 who are still studying.

He quit as a lorry driver several years ago to care for his daughter at home while his 51-year-old wife works as an assistant at a nearby kindergarten.

Thanking all donors who have contributed to the cause, Star Media Group said the donation drive for Erinna will be officially closed.

Star Foundation, the charitable arm of Star Media Group, has been raising and administering funds for various causes.

Its Medical Fund Programme was set up in 2004 to help individuals and families in dire need of financial assistance and medical attention.