(http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?brd=2703)       04/26/2008  Kiron  
youth named National Epilepsy spokesperson   Wayne  Fritzinger
      Madison Gierstorf of Kiron meets with  Congressman Steve King during
her trip to Washington D.C.  Photo submitted  
Madison Gierstorf of Kiron  traveled with her parents, Donavon and Stephanie
Gierstorf to  Washington, D.C., March 30 through April 1 to meet with  
congressional leaders.  
The Gierstorfs hoped to gain the support of legislators for the  restoration
of the Americans with Disabilities Act and for epilepsy  public health
programs, and more research toward a cure for  epilepsy.  
Madison, age 10, was one of 50 young people with epilepsy who  participated
in Kids Speak Up!  
Kids Speak Up! is a national program coordinated by the National  Epilepsy
Foundation providing an opportunity for children with  epilepsy and their
parents to visit the nation's capitol and visit  with their legislators and tell
their personal stories.  
Madison visited with Congressman Steve King and aides  representing Senators
Charles Grassley and Tom Harkin.  
Kids Speak Up! is a part of the Public Policy Institute.  
Children are selected by the National Epilepsy Foundation to take  part in
the program and represent their home state. One child is  selected from each
state.  
Advertisement

(http://bannerads.zwire.com/bannerads/redirect.cfm?PAG=791&BRD=2703&AD...
bdid=79146) Kids  Speak Up! is supported by Abbott, a health care company
devoted to  the discovery, development, manufacturing, and marketing of  
pharmaceuticals and medical products.  
The program rallies young ambassadors with epilepsy between the  ages of 7
and 16 to advocate for the more than 3 million Americans  living with the
condition.  
Besides meeting with their congressional leaders, the children  were treated
to a magic show featuring award-winning magician  Bradley Fields and met
Mighty Mike Simmel, an entertainment  basketball player of the world famous Harlem
Wizards. Simmel, who  has epilepsy, inspires young people to follow their
dreams despite  their obstacles.  
Epilepsy is the most common neurological condition in children.  
Each year approximately 45,000 children under age 17 are  diagnosed with the
disorder.  
Despite modern therapy, about one million people in the U.S.  continue to
experience seizures or significant side effects from  treatment for their
epilepsy.  
Karly Ashlock, Service Coordinator for Iowa, announced that Iowa  just opened
up its first Epilepsy Foundation office last fall.  
Individuals or families such as Madison's may contact Ashlock at  the
Epilepsy Foundation of North/Central, Illinois, Iowa, and  Nebraska, 1111 9th Street,
Suite 275, Des Moines, Iowa 50314.  Ashlock's phone number is 515-238-7660
and her e-mail address is  www. kashl...@efncil.org.  
Madison is a fifth grader at Schleswig Elementary School.  
"She loves to play softball," said her mom, Stephanie Gierstorf.  

Dale  Todd    
Vice-President Project Development
Premier  Recreation Products, Inc.
1821 Grande Avenue SE
Cedar Rapids, Iowa  52403-2225
319-366-8158
Cell-319-389-6071
Fax-319-247-0652
dtoddpa...@aol.com
_http://gametime.com/_ (http://www.gametime.com/)

**************Need a new ride? Check out the largest site for U.S. used car
listings at AOL Autos.      
(http://autos.aol.com/used?NCID=aolcmp00300000002851)