Caellah's Story

Caellah Ireland Allison was born on December 24, 2013.  Because of a fluke genetic condition, she inherited Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome, a rare and debilitating form of epilepsy.  Her condition was not known until she had a massive seizure on May 3, 2014, which placed her in the hospital for almost two months.  The diagnosis grew to include a multitude of problems including limited vision and chronic lung problems.  She was continually in and out of the hospital with either seizure related issues or pneumonia.  Around Christmas of 2016 she contracted the Human Metapneumovirus which placed her in the hospital for another month and a half and almost killed her.  She recovered, but her condition started to deteriorate.  In March of 2019, she contracted the same virus and, because she was in a weakened state, she passed away on April 2, 2019.

Caellah's life was filled with pain and hardship due to her multitude of illnesses. Due to the graciousness of many caregivers, especially her mother, her life was not as difficult as it could have been.  If you wish to see the list of caregivers, also called Caellah's Team, please click here.

In spite of all the obstacles, Caellah was an amazing girl.  She could not walk, but she figured out how to roll on the floor where she wanted to go.  She could not speak, but she audibly played with people by blowing "raspberries" back and forth.  She had two very important attributes.  First, she was persistent.  She never gave up trying to sit up or to get where she wanted to be.  Second, she loved everyone.  If she were on the floor and someone sat down, Caellah would figure out a way to cuddle up next to that person.  She was the definition of unconditional love.