The Life Support Project
Resources for families living with a difficult diagnosis.
The Life Support Project invokes The LAB Method™ principles to bring practical guidance and ease to families who have received a difficult diagnosis.
THE LIFE SUPPORT PROJECT | Our Welcome Video
THE LIFE SUPPORT PROJECT provides strategies, direction and communication tools to help families adjust to their new circumstances.
THE LIFE SUPPORT PROJECT | Epilepsy
Ashley Wood, LCSW, Director of The Life Support Project and Mom of a daughter with epilepsy (Dravet Syndrome).
When epilepsy showed up in our home, it turned our life upside down. The joy I felt as a parent fell away and in its place, was fear and overwhelm. I had two repetitive thoughts: 1) I can’t do this and 2) I didn’t sign up for this.
I had no idea what to do, where to turn or how to deal. I was lost. It took me a few years to get my feet on the ground and feel oriented to our life with epilepsy. I’d like to help you do it in less time than it took me.
We are thrilled to introduce you to our first resource, intended for the epilepsy community.—- A deck of cards soon to be accessible in an app! —-Baked into these cards are the questions we had, the situations that dogged us and the answers, solutions and strategies we eventually found along the way.
THE LIFE SUPPORT PROJECT | Cards
FOR FAMILIES, the cards
Tell you exactly what to keep track of and what to let go of as you navigate the unpredictable terrain of epilepsy.
Answer the questions most families have who are adjusting to epilepsy.
Help you deal with the monumental emotional stress that comes with an epilepsy diagnosis. I continue to learn how to manage my overwhelming feelings rather than shut down and wall off. If these cards help you deal with and adjust to your anger, sadness, fear, confusion and grief, then they have done the job they were made to do.
Help you with what to say. I had no idea what to tell people about our situation. I needed a script for the moments that rendered me totally speechless. Borrow at will.
FOR MEDICAL PROVIDERS, the cards
Save doctors precious time by providing critical information about whole family epilepsy care.
Increase patient satisfaction because these cards address the monumental stress and anxiety that comes with this diagnosis.
The Life Support team understands that there just isn’t enough time in the day to really address this giant diagnosis one patient at a time. We wanted to make things easier for you! Give it to the families who need it.
THE LIFE SUPPORT PROJECT | Testimonials
I truly believe these cards will provide a virtual support system for families to turn to any time along their epilepsy journey so they can be empowered to live and thrive, while we (doctors) continue to strive for a cure.”
— Joseph Sullivan, MD Pediatric Epileptologist | Director of UCSF Benioff Pediatric Epilepsy Center of Excellence
“The Epilepsy Cards are an easily portable and accessible resource that opened my eyes to a whole family/community approach to this condition. Every family living with epilepsy should have access to this resource!”
- School Nurse, Northern California
“A note to let you know that the arrival of your cards was so incredibly timely for a patient of mine whose son was diagnosed this year with a severe seizure disorder. She found the cards ‘beyond helpful, a God send’. Congratulations on your life giving work!”
-Licensed Psychiatrist, Northern California
“Having the support of Ashley, and the information from the Life Support cards has been life changing. The two paired together have proven to be my most valuable assets in navigating through the early years of my son’s diagnosis.”
-Amy, Mother of a son with Dravet Syndrome
“Ashley and the Life Support cards have been exactly that for me...a form of life support that has helped me get through the scariest and most challenging trials of epilepsy. The cards are simple and straightforward, yet packed with clear direction, validation and encouragement.”
-Imelda, Mother of a son with intractible epilepsy
“The Life Support cards are an incredible gift to the families dealing with the diagnosis of epilepsy...Every family who leaves the hospital with an epilepsy diagnosis needs to begin their journey with this resource.”
-Mom of a 26yr. old daughter with Lennox Gastaut Syndrome