I’m thrilled to be participating in 2026 Walk for Epilepsy Hillsborough, a fundraiser supporting Epilepsy Services Foundation! 

For those that do not know, I was diagnosed with Epilepsy when I was 4 years old. Growing up, I would have seizures quite often and was faced with many challenges. Sometimes I had grand mal seizures during which I would lose consciousness and have violent muscle convulsions. Other times, I would have petite mal seizures which involve a lapse in awareness and staring into space. The petite mal seizures were more common when I was younger, and often times I was unaware I even had one until someone told me. Because of my epilepsy, I often lacked confidence, and I never felt like I fit in. I always wondered why I was the one to receive this diagnosis. Honestly, I was ashamed and embarrassed to even tell people that I had epilepsy. I did not want that to change how people viewed or treated me. There were times when I had a seizure at school, and I just remember feeling so embarrassed. I felt like an outcast, and it was terrifying because I never knew when I was going to have another seizure.

Epilepsy does not run in my family, so we all had to educate ourselves to learn more about this disorder. Now, that I am older, I have no problem saying I have epilepsy, and I love sharing my story with others. I fight this disorder every day, and I have learned to love myself and who I am. I am also proud to share that it has been about 12 years since I had a seizure! Each day seizure free is a blessing, and I will continue to fight and live every day to the fullest. 

Thank you for taking the time to read my story. Please consider donating to this wonderful fundraiser, any amount would help :)