The 'Star Wars' icon went public with 26-year-old Georgia Ford's health crisis during an emotional appearance at a charity fundraiser for the New York University Langone Medical Centre
Harrison Ford with his daughter, Georgia
The 'Star Wars' icon went public with 26-year-old Georgia Ford's health crisis during an emotional appearance at a charity fundraiser for the New York University Langone Medical Centre.
Harrison Ford with his daughter, Georgia
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The actor attended the Find a Cure for Epilepsy and Seizures (FACES) bash with Georgia, his youngest child with his late ex-wife, screenwriter Melissa Mathison.
Ford explained that they were at the event to express their gratitude to the doctors who helped diagnose his daughter’s condition. “I admire a lot of things about her. I admire her perseverance, her talent, her strength. She’s my hero. I love her.”
Ford went on to heap praise on Langone’s Dr Orrin Devinsky and the staff at FACES, insisting they have been a “great service” to his family for years since Georgia was found to suffer from the chronic neurological disorder.
“When you have a loved one who suffers from this disease, it can be devastating,” he continued. “You know how it affects their lives, their future, their opportunities and you want desperately to find mitigation. You want to find a way that they can live a comfortable and effective life.”
The veteran star, 73, also delivered a speech at the FACES fundraiser, during which he recalled how Georgia had suffered her first seizure as a child during a sleepover. Los Angeles doctors simply prescribed her medication for acute migraines, but she was struck down again a few years later, and it was only after a third attack, while studying abroad in London, that the family decided to contact medics at the NYU facility.
“Dr Orrin Davinsky, who is a dear friend, made the diagnosis: epilepsy,” Harrison told the crowd as he broke down in tears. “He prescribed the right medication and therapy; she has not had a seizure in eight years.” Touchwood.