Redefining Normal – a Column by Brian Solka

Little Brian is awesome. As I take this time to reflect on the totality of the life that currently exists for me, I struggle to maintain a positive outlook. Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS) has completely upended the plans I had for my family. My entire upbringing consisted of compiling good choices…

As we packed into the car, our daughter, Coralynn, was excited. The holidays were firmly behind us, and today was the first day of the local recreation center’s basketball season. Coralynn hadn’t played on a team since the fall, and she was ready to show off her skills. This…

As I approach the reception desk, my heart is beating quickly. My forehead muscles are tense from the prolonged furrowing of eyebrows. People are crazy drivers, and any safe arrival to a distant destination should always be appreciated. I check in, stating the patient’s name: “Brian Solka.” Growing up, my…

Brian’s birthday party is on Sunday, and he turns 6 years old! I can’t believe how quickly the time has passed. I remember holding my son shortly after he was born for our first “skin-to-skin” like it was yesterday. His squishy, football-sized, little body fit perfectly on my chest…

When Brian’s seizures returned as Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS) after his initial bout with infantile spasms, the blow was crushing. After Jendi went through a very difficult childhood, I was hopeful that her suffering was behind her. My childhood was very unassuming, and almost all close relatives and friends were alive…

When diagnosed with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, our son, Brian, was still developing normally. Every day built upon the previous day, which was amazing to watch. His episodes consisted of dozens of small tonic seizures, but he usually recovered quickly. The hope was that we would maintain this upward trajectory. His…

As an old episode of the TV series “The Office” plays in the living room, my daughter, Coralynn, is falling asleep on the couch. Her mom, Jendi, is locked into her laptop, diligently working on her school lesson plans for the rest of the week. I’m on the recliner starting…

On my son Brian’s first day of kindergarten, he woke up nicely, babbling to himself in his bed. When I heard him singing to himself, I jumped out of bed and administered his first dose of morning medications. I took him to the potty, then walked him to his favorite…

After we finished breakfast, Brian was freed from his eating chair (a donated wheelchair with a seatbelt and removable tray). As I was brainstorming fun morning activities with his big sister, Brian sauntered on over to his bed-tent. He’s recently enjoyed tumbling and rolling around slowly on his bed. It’s…

My son Brian’s class photos are always great. He doesn’t normally respond to any verbal instructions, so getting him to sit still, look at the camera, and smile willingly is pretty much impossible. Yet somehow, while also assisting Brian’s other classmates, his teachers are always able to capture that perfect…