Most children pass the summer months playing outside, but one southern Illinois boy has spent his time recovering from brain surgery in a hospital bed.

Charlie Patrick, a 4-year-old from Energy, has been at St. Louis Children’s Hospital since May. Patrick has suffered from recurring seizures since March 2012, shortly before his second birthday.

The seizures did not go unnoticed or uncared for, but the reason behind them was not discovered until late April.

Patrick suffers from Rasmussen’s encephalitis (RE). RE is a rare atypical neurological disease that causes uncontrollable epileptic seizures, physical and mental deterioration, developmental delays and paralysis of half of the body.

“It was an awful diagnosis to hear, but it confirmed what was wrong and allowed us to start making a plan,” Julie Patrick, Charlie’s mother and an SIU alumna said. “It was life changing.”

The seizures are not entirely treatable with any medicines and the only cure is through brain surgery.

Charlie underwent a functional hemispherectomy procedure to help his seizures.

In this procedure, no tissue is actually removed from the brain, but it disconnects the two hemispheres of the brain. This prevents the seizures from spreading from the side of the brain that causes the seizures, to the other side.

Julie said Charlie is currently learning to walk and use his arms again through intensive therapy, but said the procedure saved his life.

The family is confident the surgery was worth it.

Ryan Patrick, Charlie’s father, said Charlie once experienced 10 to 15 seizures a day, often leaving him with numerous bruises and in a constant state of danger with minor tasks.

Charlie’s parents have been staying at the Ronald McDonald House since May 20 and will continue to do so until Charlie is able to return home.

Charlie’s 9-year-old sister Rylie is currently staying with family members, but visits her brother and parents often.

The financial burden this has placed on the Patrick family is still uncertain.

“We don’t know yet what it is going to bring,” Ryan said. “We do have insurance and know it is covering some of it, but not what or how much [will be covered] or what exactly we have in store for us.”

The parents said they have a lot of faith and hope things will only get better.

Fellow parents and friends are astonished at how Ryan and Julie have handled the situation and tackled the struggle head on.

“Honestly, when it’s your kid, you just do whatever you can do,” Ryan said. “We just move forward.”

Ryan said this has been a roller coaster,but they are doing whatever is best for Charlie.

Many churches that are not affiliated with the Patrick’s, along with the community, have rallied together to support the Patrick family.

Sunday June 29, the Carterville United Methodist Church is hosting a BBQ lunch for Charlie Patrick and his family.

“There is a child in need and that is all we need to know,” Bob Marwell, Pastor of Carterville United Methodist Church, said.

Charlie will be discharged on Thursday, June 26, and continue outpatient therapy near his home.

Charlie started a new seizure medication two weeks ago and has not had a seizure since June 17, but his parents know the fight is not over.

“It will be a life-long medical issue we are dealing with,” Julie said.

Storey Mayer can be reached at [email protected] or at 536-3311 ext. 254