Tracy Dixon-Salazar’s world was turned upside down when her daughter, Savannah, then 2, suddenly experienced a seizure. As Savannah’s seizures became more frequent and severe, Dixon-Salazar embarked on a relentless journey to uncover the cause and find a solution.
Faced with limited information from doctors, Dixon-Salazar returned to school, ultimately earning a Ph.D. in neurobiology. Through her research, she identified a calcium channel mutation that was responsible for Savannah’s seizures. Armed with this knowledge, she brought her findings to Savannah’s doctors who prescribed a calcium blocker. To their astonishment, Savannah’s seizures decreased by 95% within two weeks.
Today, Savannah, who still functions like a 3-year-old, is thriving thanks to the groundbreaking treatment. Dixon-Salazar’s unwavering determination has transformed her daughter’s life and inspired her to become an advocate for families battling Lennox-Gastaut syndrome.
As the executive director of the LGS Foundation, Dixon-Salazar empowers caregivers by sharing her experiences and raising awareness about this rare and debilitating condition. She emphasizes the importance of support and collaboration, advocating for a more inclusive and understanding world for those living with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome.
