Benefit Meal for Munson Sunday

Soup-supper to help NPHS junior

Avery Munson and Tiffany Sauls|March 11, 2016

Junior Ashley Munson rests at the University of Nebraska Medical Center last February after her second brain surgery to attempt stop her nightly cerebral palsy seizures. A benefit soup-supper is planned for Sunday from 11 am-3pm at Cody Elementary to help the Munson family with medical expenses.

When freshmen Avery Munson watches his sister have a seizure, he often thinks, “Hopefully she’ll come out of this one, and everything will be all right.”  Munson’s sister, North Platte High School junior Ashley Munson, has cerebral palsy and suffers from nightly seizures. Avery Munson said it’s terrifying to watch her seize.  “One time my dad had to give her [mouth to mouth resuscitation]… Her head rolled, and she had that dead look, ” he said.  Ashley Munson has suffered with her symptoms her whole life, but recently, the seizures have been getting worse.  

In late January and early February, Ashley Munson underwent three major brain surgeries at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha hoping to stop the seizures. In the first surgery, they inserted something into Munson’s brain that lit up any time she had a seizure. They used it to pin-point what part of the brain was being affected by the episodes. The second surgery was Munson’s biggest, part of her brain was removed. That surgery seemed to be a success; for two days she was seizure free. Unfortunately at 11:30 p.m. the second night, her family got a call.  Ashley Munson had suffered another seizure. It was devastating news, according to the Munsons.

Avery Munson said he was crushed when he found out about the episode.  “

The entire Munson family was in Omaha to support Ashley Munson, but the children  were missing a lot of school, so they eventually had to split up and go home. As she was healing, Ashley Munson’s health took a turn for the worse. The doctor informed her that she had developed an infection in the incision.  Avery Munson said that didn’t deter her. “She’s my hero,” Avery Munson said. “She always tries to make sure everyone around her is all right, even just after getting out of surgery.”

Although her seizures haven’t improved, Ashley Munson is home now and has been given some time to heal. However, she still suffering from seizures nightly.  She won’t return to school for quite some time.

Avery Munson acknowledges that health problems can be tough on some families, but they’re holding strong.  “It’s brought us closer together as a family,” he said. The community is pulling for them too.  Family and friends are throwing a soup-luncheon and a silent auction this Sunday at Cody School to offset Ashley Munson’s medical expenses and the family’s cost of staying in Omaha during the surgeries. In addition to the soup, people can bid on Husker tickets, signed Colorado Avalanche items, a Husker print and other items.

“It would be so cool for people to give up time to be with us during this challenge,” Avery Munson said.  He hopes to see a lot of his classmates, friends and the community at the event. Tickets are $2 for children and $5 for adults, and can be purchased at the door.

 

Avery Munson is a staff writer for the North Platte Bulldogger.