At just 2 years and 10 months old Ava Vet was diagnosed with atonic seizures. Now 3.5-year-old Ava is a loving, smiley and happy young girl who’s already overcome so much in her life.
Getting control of Ava’s seizures was a long and difficult process. However, with the help of a neurologist and proper medication, she’s been seizure free since January! Her seizure activity can sometimes be triggered by being sick, but they tend to be very mild.
In addition to epilepsy, Ava has also been diagnosed with TRIO related neurodevelopmental disorder, which causes developmental delays. Her parents shared with us that sometimes, “epilepsy causes a disruption in development.” But Ava is working hard to overcome challenges. She is learning to use AAC (augmentative and alternative communication) as a tool to communicate with others. It’s been a journey of hard work, but Ava has been making a lot of progress that her family is very proud of.
Despite dealing with her diagnosis and seizure activity at such a young age, Ava has consistently powered through. She is also getting moving by working with a gait trainer to help her walk. Doing physical things is often hard work for Ava, but it’s more fun when she can watch her favorite shows and movies like Mickey Mouse, Frozen, or Encanto during it! Being seizure free has helped make Ava’s ability to learn easier across the board. Through all of her struggles, Ava keeps smiling and staying her happy and sweet self.
As her seizures have gotten under better control, Ava has been able to enjoy her life as an active young child even more. There are more things she is able to do. She is doing well in preschool and has so much fun there! Her parents shared that, “Ava loves to play with her older brother, she loves books, her baby dolls, and scooting around the house to play in the cabinets. Ava loves to blow kisses and snuggle too!”
One day, Ava and her family hope that she will be able to fine-tune her communication skills and eventually walk on her own. She’s already shown her capability of accomplishing amazing things, and she’s not stopping here!
Ava’s family has begun to get more involved with the larger epilepsy community. So far, they have been dedicated fundraisers for epilepsy awareness with the Epilepsy Foundation of America, and they are excited to join in at the upcoming Walk for Epilepsy in Saratoga Springs on September 7th, 2025! They have educated other family members and friends about Ava’s seizures. Efforts to create more awareness helps Ava and others with epilepsy to live safer lives. Ava’s mom also signed up to participate in a run called the “26 Mile Move Challenge,” named after the 1 in 26 people that will be diagnosed with epilepsy at some point in their lifetime.
Efforts like these are so important to both helping the epilepsy community be seen and showing Ava that she can turn her challenges into a positive impact.
What does Ava and her family think everyone should know about epilepsy?
“Seizures look different for everyone, and there are many different types.”
