Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/1403381
15 caregiver focus cannapatientcare.com august 2021 | cannabis patient care started walking and talking again. It allowed her to start eat- ing on her own again. Then over time, we took her wheelchair and we hung it up on a hook in the garage because she didn't need it anymore. She started riding her bicycle again." Sadly, Charlotte passed away in 2020 at the age of 13. Her fa- ther was passionate about describing the amazing life she led thanks in large part to Charlotte's Web. "I took her rafting. I took her mountain biking on one of those trailer bikes. We did all sorts of things together," he said "She led a great life, which she would not have been able to do without Charlotte's Web." Matt also described how with the help of CBD they were able to slowly wean Charlotte off the strong pharmaceuti- cals she had been taking. "We made a choice to very slow- ly and carefully, in a methodical way, to wean her off of every single one," said Matt "Over the course of a year, we achieved that. Sometimes it got worse before it got better, but over the course of a year, we got her off every single pharmaceutical she was on. I don't feel we've could've done that without CBD." Sharing CBD Knowledge As word started to spread about the amazing success the Figi's were having with Charlotte's treatment, they began getting re- quests for interviews with all sorts of local media outlets. Matt and Paige were very careful and slightly hesitant to share their story with just anyone. They decided to wait for the right opportunity. Eventually, CNN contacted them with an interview request from Dr. Sanjay Gupta. "Our ears really perked up at that re- quest. Paige definitely thought this was the opportunity we were waiting for," said Matt. So, CNN came out to the Figi's home in Colorado Springs for a week and they filmed every day. "Dr. Sanjay Gupta him- self read to my daughter Charlotte—her favorite story The Bear Snores On—and he interviewed both me and Paige. He literally brought us to tears, in a good way," said Matt. "I really believe that was the fulcrum point in this effort to give CBD the proper light and attention that it deserved." The interview with Dr. Sanjay Gupta appeared in the CNN docuseries Weed (1,7), which aired in August 2013. Dr. Gup- ta continued that series for several episodes and eventual- ly publicly came out in support of medical cannabis after con- sidering more research and stories such as Charlotte's that point to its benefits. "I really appreciate his professionalism, not only as a surgeon, but as a journalist, because he came Charlotte's Impact CHARLOT TE'S IMPAC T IN the world was profound. In a tribute article published in Cannabis Science and Technol- ogy in June 2020, several families and friends shared com- ments on what she meant to them (1), here are some ex- cerpts from that piece. Gail Rand, whose son Logan was diagnosed with epilep- sy at age one and ADHD at age two, spoke about how she first heard about Charlotte in June 2012 and her life was for- ever changed. "Her family's willingness to share their sto- ry in a time where the stigma around medical cannabis was huge and the Federal government was still raiding many facilities was so incredibly brave," said Rand. "Her mom, Paige, shared Charlotte's story with Maryland legislators and regulators in a way that was incredibly powerful. They got to ask questions and learn that this is real medicine that could have a massive impact on Marylanders. For me, it is personal—my son is seizure free and his life was saved because of Charlotte. I know she is a daughter, sister, and friend, but to millions of people she is an icon of change and I'm forever grateful." Tracy Ryan, whose daughter Sophie was diagnosed with an optic pathway glioma brain tumor at eight months old, explained that it was the documentary, Weed 1, that not only changed the course of medical cannabis forever, but also gave family's like hers legitimacy in their choice to use this plant on their small children. "It quelled judgement and paved a way that only a story like Charlotte's could do. When Sophie was honored with being one of the first 20 children in California to receive Charlotte's Web oil over 6 years ago, we forever felt connected to this family that we owe so much to," said Ryan. "Our entire industry, worldwide, has this little girl's struggles to thank for advancements in the understanding of this plant that could otherwise have taken a decade. God gave Charlotte a very important mis- sion to fulfill, and she not only did so, but saved count- less lives globally and forever changed the world leaving it a healthier and happier place than when she entered it." "Charlotte Figi was and still is an inspiration to me," said Rylie Maedler, who was diagnosed with an extremely rare, ag- gressive giant cell granuloma in 2013. "Charlotte was living proof that cannabis can help treat those with severe untreata- ble epilepsy. She helped introduce cannabis as a treatment for pediatrics. Although Charlotte may not physically be with us now; what she accomplished will always be with us." Reference (1) https://www.cannabissciencetech.com/view/tribute-life-and-legacy- charlotte-figi.