Kern County (CA) Dispatcher in Need of Support for 3 YO Daughter

Dear 9-1-1 Cares:

My name is Tammy Olinger and I am a supervisor with the Kern County Sheriff’s Office in Bakersfield, CA. I would like to add Cigi Yerena and her daughter, 3 year old Rixynn, to the 9-1-1 Cares activations. Rix was recently diagnosed with Myoclonic-Astaic Epilepsy (aka Doose Syndrome or MAE), a very rare form of epilepsy, which is difficult to treat because it is resistant to medication. She suffers from multiple seizure types including drop attacks several times a day, which has pretty much made her a walking hazard to herself. Recently, during the night, she had a seizure in which she stopped breathing.

Because of the constant seizures she is suffering several developmental delays and is functioning at about an 18 month old level and still regressing. Fortunately, she is now under the care of a great doctor at Valley Children’s Hospital, who believes he can get the seizures to subside by starting her on the Kitogenic diet which will require Rix being admitted to the hospital for at least four days. Cigi has been traveling back and forth between Wasco and Madera, California for the medical care, over 120 miles each way.

Believe it or not, in between seizures, Rix is still a very happy and playful baby. She is full of life and has no worries. She and Cigi recently spent some time at the Comm Center. The dispatchers who spent this time with Cigi and Rix were struck by how happy Rix is. Cigi is a single mom, who is handling this amazingly well. She is determined to get the best help possible for her daughter. Rixynn is the baby of the family. She has two older sisters, 8 year old Madyson and 4 year old Grayson.

Due to the extensive time that she has had to be off work to care for her daughter, Cigi has used up all of her vacation and sick leave. Our agency has the Catastrophic Leave Program in which co-workers donate their vacation time so that Cigi will not lose her benefits. This is the only thing she has requested. She is very thankful for the support that her fellow workers have given her during this time.

If there is anyone out there who would like to drop a note of support to Cigi and Rixynn it would mean so much. If there is anyone you know of who has gone through this particular form of Epilepsy, please contact Cigi. Cards and well wishes can be sent to the address below.

Thank you,
Tammy Olinger, Dispatch Supervisor
Kern County Sheriff’s Office
2601 Panorama Dr, Bldg A
Bakersfield, Ca 93306
(661) 861-3110