Oak Hill, WV (WOAY) – Maggie Swager says keeping her son safe has become a full-time job. Her son, Archer Swager, is a 7-year-old second grader. His mother says he was diagnosed with epilepsy four years ago. She says finding care that works has been difficult, and it now requires frequent trips hours from home.
Swager says scans show that even after one of Archer’s seizures ends, it can take more time for him to return to baseline.
“I can’t even go to do laundry without worrying about him walking into the road without even knowing it,” said Maggie Swager, Archer’s mother. “We can’t go on a family hike. He would walk, walk off a cliff and not even know it. I’ve caught him at the top of the stairs in mid-stride.”
Swager says she was first told her son’s condition wasn’t serious.
“But as time went on, medications tried and then he would have adverse psychotic or even lethal reactions to the medications,” Swager said. “Now he has a vast and ever growing list of medications that would treat epilepsy for most people, but can’t with him.”
She says a seizure medication given during a recent emergency room visit sent Archer into a psychotic episode.
“Police were called on a seven year old child that’s missing teeth that should be worried about [when they’re] going to get their next shiny Hot Wheels car,” Swager said. “But instead he then was afraid.”
Swager says she has to stay by Archer’s side, and day-to-day life for the family has come to a stop.
“I am playing teacher, doctor, encyclopedia, insurance agent, social worker and mother of three,” she said.
Archer is now under the care of Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio, according to his mother, with trips as often as every week. She says doctors there are building a unified care plan for when his seizures hit.
“It’s looking like I may need to relocate because we don’t have the resources here to give my son what he needs,” Swager said.
Friends from Swager’s work at ACE Adventure Resort are holding a benefit concert with local musicians, a silent auction and raffle items. She says the money will go toward travel and medical care.
“We need a vehicle for travel,” Swager said. “I need to be able to get Archer to all of his appointments … Archer is a good boy. He’s a brilliant boy, and he deserves the best of care that I can provide for him.”
The benefit is Thursday, Oct. 1, starting at 6 p.m. at The Lost Paddle at ACE Adventure Resort.
Anyone who can’t attend but wants to help can donate through Archer’s GoFundMe at gofund.me/e8784ab1f.
