A NOTE FROM THE ISSACSON FAMILY FOUNDATION

Our youngest of four, Hannah, suffers from Glut1 Deficiency Syndrome, a neurometabolic disorder that was caused by a spontaneous genetic mutation. Glut1 DS is a brain energy failure syndrome caused by impaired glucose transport across brain tissue barriers, causing symptoms such as eye‐head movement abnormalities, seizures, neurodevelopmental impairment, deceleration of head growth, and movement disorders. Currently, there is no cure. Hannah's treatment is a medical ketogenic diet, which is the only treatment, for now. Our Hannah is certainly a force to be reckoned with. Her determination (and being the youngest of 4), works in her favor when it comes to meeting and conquering challenges. When we received the diagnosis (November 2022), I couldn’t breathe. For months, I cried tears of fear of the unknown, sadness, and confusion. As I watch her grow and absolutely thrive, those tears have turned into joy, hope, and admiration. The doctors and scientists are hard at work, and better treatments and hopefully, the cure via gene therapy is on the horizon!! There is SO much hope.