I had a seizure in the middle of the night when I was 26 and my life has been different ever since.

Epilepsy is the fourth most common neurological disorder in the world. Causes of epilepsy are different for each person, and some people have no identifiable cause. **Epilepsy is common** According to the CDC, it's estimated that 1.2% of people in the United States have active epilepsy. Epilepsy affects people of all genders, races, ethnic backgrounds and ages. Medicines successfully control seizures for only about 70% of people with epilepsy, others (like me) have to have surgery to try to change my quality of life, but sometimes surgery only alleviates the symptoms. In my case, it was not a solution.

Seizure symptoms can vary widely. Some people may lose awareness during a seizure while others don't. Some people stare blankly for a few seconds during a seizure. Others may repeatedly twitch their arms or legs, movements known as convulsions. When I have a seizure, I am usually in my sleep but there are times when stare off into space, walk around, try to open doors and a few instances I have taken my clothes off. It seems funny to say, but it's not funny in Bealls. It's no fun to be on constant alert for something I don't even know is going to happen.

1 in 26 Americans will develop epilepsy in their lifetime. An estimated 3.4 million Americans and 65 million people worldwide currently live with epilepsy. Each year more than 150,000 people are diagnosed with epilepsy. We need to try to help find a cure.

I am not a doctor or a scientist, but like them I want to find answers. I do have a heart though, a semi-working brain and legs, so I’m going to help any way I can right now.