A 13-year-old girl who suddenly died from an epilepsy disorder has been remembered for her brilliant smile.
The family of Charlotte Ivy Studham said she “touched everyone she met with her huge grin”.
Charlotte died on November 3 from suspected sudden unexplained death epilepsy (SUDEP), which is similar to sudden infant death syndrome.
She was just shy of her 14th birthday.
“Charlotte had a wicked sense of humor and wasn’t backwards in coming forwards,” her mother wrote.
“She loved her friends and family and would always be thinking of them even when she was at her worst. She loved music, dolls, dancing, drawing, animals and her dogs!”
The young dancer was diagnosed with epilepsy at age five, however it became more severe at the age of nine when “things went downhill and she started having a lot of seizures... multiple times a day which impacted every aspect of her young life”.
“We spent a lot of time in and out of hospitals, so many tests and investigations which unfortunately all lead to no clear answers,” her mum added.
“But she took it all in her stride and never let it stop her.
“We are bringing awareness to this heartbreaking side of epilepsy as we have since found a lot of people didn’t know anything about it.”
Her family has set up a GoFundMe to raise funds for a charity “to support others in the community”.
“Those that knew her know she was larger than life and always loved helping others where she could so in this extremely difficult time I’d like to offer for those who’s heart was touched by Charlotte, and want to help our family but not sure how, I’ve set this fundraiser up in lieu of gifting flowers please donate to Charlotte’s page,” her sister said.
Charlotte was also honoured by family and friends online.
“I love you so much Char Char, you have broken me,” her dad wrote on Facebook the day after her death.
“You lit up a room the minute you entered it with your sass, big personality & dancing (always showing me a new dance),” her godmother wrote.
“You were the toughest lil girl I know & you took every hard obstacle in your stride & still had that beautiful smile on your face no matter what.
“I wish I got to squeeze you a bit tighter & kiss your head a lot more than I did last week when I said goodbye.
“It was an absolute honour to be your Godmother & not a day will go by where I won’t think of you & my heart won’t hurt that you were taken so soon.”
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