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Community Corner

Patch Whiz Kid: Madison Goldberg

Each week we recognize a child who is doing something amazing.

 Name: Madison “Maddie” Goldberg

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 Accomplishment:  Maddie is the only child in Missouri selected by the Epilepsy Foundation to travel to Washington D.C. this spring to lobby congressmen and women on behalf of the foundation.

 Key to awesomeness:  Maddie has participated in many events for the Epilepsy Foundation such as its walk and “Batting for Seizures” at Busch Stadium.  She has helped raise money and has persuaded other kids to join her in her efforts. 

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 Recently Maddie took a trip to Jefferson City to advocate for the rights of people with epilepsy.  She met Lt. Governor Peter Kinder and several state representatives, including Stacey Newman who represents parts of St. Louis County. 

“I read them a story that I wrote and told them I’m capable of doing everything that kids without epilepsy can do,” Maddie said.  “Some of them didn’t know about these laws in Missouri that restrict people who have epilepsy from adopting a child or allow a couple to return an adopted child if it has epilepsy.”  She said that these laws are really unfair and that people with epilepsy live normal lives.

Maddie said her school has influenced her advocacy work.  “It’s all about helping others. We learn about that everyday. We learn about doing good deeds and using our voices to make a difference.”

 In addition to school and increasing awareness about epilepsy, Maddie’s after school activities include four dance classes, singing lessons, and acting in a play through the Jewish Community Center.

 Want to nominate a Patch Whiz Kid?  Send his or her name, age, information and a JPG photo to james.baer@patch.com.

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