Tina McDermott – IA (Midwest)

Tina lives in Davenport, Iowa, and has a son, Ryan, with Dravet syndrome. She and her husband Brad have been married for 30 years and have been blessed with 5 sons, a daughter, and 4 grandchildren. Ryan is their youngest child who is now 16 and was diagnosed 10 years ago at the age of 6. For Tina, getting that diagnosis was a relief. Although the outcome was devastating, they finally had an answer. Two months post diagnosis, Tina became involved with DSF and attended her first biennial conference. She states she attends conferences because, “there’s nothing better than spending time and bonding with other Dravet families”. Tina appreciates the many advances in research for new treatments, the improved diagnostic tools, and the increase in Dravet syndrome knowledge and awareness that has occured since Ryan’s diagnosis.