Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
For families living with epilepsy, the impact can reach far beyond the seizures.
From round-the-clock care to mounting medical costs, one local family is sharing the challenges they face while hoping for a safer future for their daughter.
That includes getting a specially trained dog that could help detect seizures before or while they are happening.
At 13 years old, Savanna Martinez puts on a brave face, finding joy in the little moments. But behind the smiles is a reality most people never see.
For nearly four years, Savanna has been living with epilepsy.
“Doctors want her to have and live a normal life, but it's hard when she has daily seizures, when she has drop seizures, when she can't be independent,” her mother, Lorie Ramirez, said.
Savanna used to have as many as 30 seizures during the day.
Now, she takes seven different medications, bringing that number down to around seven. But that does not include the seizures she has while sleeping.
Lorie said doctors have suggested getting Savanna a specially trained seizure alert dog.
“We can be walking somewhere and she just like, it comes up and over and she falls or she'll just fall back or ... It's just so much, we're just hoping, and even doctors are hoping that the dog could detect it,” Lorie said.
Taking care of Savanna is a full-family effort.
From her mother and grandfather to her brother and sister, family members take turns caring for her around their schedules. Savanna requires constant supervision — something that became clear even during an interview with the family.
“Oh my God, Savanna, you scared me,” Lorie said at one point.
Lorie works full time and is a single mother. Her main concern is making sure Savanna is okay.
That's why she hopes a seizure alert dog could give Savanna an extra layer of support and help make sure someone is there when she needs help.
“Just to alert us if we miss something so that we can make sure that we're there to take care of her or rescue her or we need to call the ambulance,” Lorie said.
But getting the dog comes with a steep price tag.
The family received a quote of around $40,000 for a specialized dog. Lorie said she has reached out to organizations for help but has not had any luck.
“It's always about, oh you don't qualify, or you're over income, but at the end of the day they don't see the bottom line. The top line might be pretty, but the bottom line. Not when you're not on any sort of assistance and you have all these insurances just to make sure that your daughter is covered,” Lorie said.
The cost of the dog would add to medical expenses the family is already facing. Lorie is paying for prescriptions, doctor and hospital visits, and other medical needs.
In two months, she said Savanna is expected to undergo brain surgery in hopes of reducing her seizures.
“I want to see the little girl that was running around doing things by herself, wanting to be mature, wanting to grow up,” Lorie said.
Now, Lorie's best friend, who has seen the family's struggle firsthand, is stepping in to help.
She is holding a fundraiser on Sunday, Aug. 23, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Lighthouse Lounge on Cincinnati Avenue.
The goal is to help the family raise money for the specialized dog and ease some of the financial burden they are facing.
Beyond raising money, Lorie hopes sharing Savanna's story will bring awareness to other families impacted by epilepsy and the challenges they face.
“Just keep advocating for you, your children, these are your children and mine means the world to me, I'm sure yours does too,” Lorie said.
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For families living with epilepsy, the impact can reach far beyond the seizures.
From round-the-clock care to mounting medical costs, one local family is sharing the challenges they face while hoping for a safer future for their daughter.
That includes getting a specially trained dog that could help detect seizures before or while they are happening.
At 13 years old, Savanna Martinez puts on a brave face, finding joy in the little moments. But behind the smiles is a reality most people never see.
For nearly four years, Savanna has been living with epilepsy.
“Doctors want her to have and live a normal life, but it's hard when she has daily seizures, when she has drop seizures, when she can't be independent,” her mother, Lorie Ramirez, said.
Savanna used to have as many as 30 seizures during the day.
Now, she takes seven different medications, bringing that number down to around seven. But that does not include the seizures she has while sleeping.
Lorie said doctors have suggested getting Savanna a specially trained seizure alert dog.
“We can be walking somewhere and she just like, it comes up and over and she falls or she'll just fall back or ... It's just so much, we're just hoping, and even doctors are hoping that the dog could detect it,” Lorie said.
Taking care of Savanna is a full-family effort.
From her mother and grandfather to her brother and sister, family members take turns caring for her around their schedules. Savanna requires constant supervision — something that became clear even during an interview with the family.
“Oh my God, Savanna, you scared me,” Lorie said at one point.
Lorie works full time and is a single mother. Her main concern is making sure Savanna is okay.
That's why she hopes a seizure alert dog could give Savanna an extra layer of support and help make sure someone is there when she needs help.
“Just to alert us if we miss something so that we can make sure that we're there to take care of her or rescue her or we need to call the ambulance,” Lorie said.
But getting the dog comes with a steep price tag.
The family received a quote of around $40,000 for a specialized dog. Lorie said she has reached out to organizations for help but has not had any luck.
“It's always about, oh you don't qualify, or you're over income, but at the end of the day they don't see the bottom line. The top line might be pretty, but the bottom line. Not when you're not on any sort of assistance and you have all these insurances just to make sure that your daughter is covered,” Lorie said.
The cost of the dog would add to medical expenses the family is already facing. Lorie is paying for prescriptions, doctor and hospital visits, and other medical needs.
In two months, she said Savanna is expected to undergo brain surgery in hopes of reducing her seizures.
“I want to see the little girl that was running around doing things by herself, wanting to be mature, wanting to grow up,” Lorie said.
Now, Lorie's best friend, who has seen the family's struggle firsthand, is stepping in to help.
She is holding a fundraiser on Sunday, Aug. 23, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Lighthouse Lounge on Cincinnati Avenue.
The goal is to help the family raise money for the specialized dog and ease some of the financial burden they are facing.
Beyond raising money, Lorie hopes sharing Savanna's story will bring awareness to other families impacted by epilepsy and the challenges they face.
“Just keep advocating for you, your children, these are your children and mine means the world to me, I'm sure yours does too,” Lorie said.
_______________
Stay up to date with our social media:
KABB on Instagram: instagram.com
KABB on Facebook: facebook.com/foxsanantonio
KABB on Twitter: twitter.com/kabbfox29
Subscribe to KABB on YouTube: youtube.com/c/KABBFOXSanAntonio
For more information, visit foxsanantonio.com
Have a news tip? Send it directly to us:
Email us: NewsDesk@news4sanantonio.com
Call the Newsroom: 210.442-6397
KABB is a TX based station and an NBC Television affiliate owned and operated by Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc. Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc. is one of the largest and most diversified television broadcasting companies in the country today.
#KABB #KABBFOX29 #NEWS4SanAntonio #KABB29 #SanAntonio
