In the winter of 2023, when her first semester of nursing school was coming to a close, Sadie Blowers experienced her first seizure. A few months later, she endured a second. These seizures transformed her life into a constant state of struggle, panic, anxiety, and fear. 

Sadie’s epilepsy diagnosis had presented her with new challenges and worries. Everyday tasks became daunting; she feared waking up with the inability to speak and the uncertainty of what was happening to her. Sadie went from being an outgoing, active, always busy young adult who was constantly spending time with her family and friends to someone who began missing out on experiences due to the fear of having a seizure. 

Rather than letting this fear consume her, Sadie used it to drive her forward. She committed to her medication regimen and poured herself into her studies. In May of 2024 her determination paid off; she successfully graduated from nursing school and passed the NCLEX licensing exam. 

Taking a bold step after graduating, Sadie moved to South Carolina to begin her career as a nurse. After a year of practice, she returned to New York to continue her work as an ICU nurse. Her experiences as a patient profoundly shaped her perspective on caregiving. She developed a deepened sense of empathy for those she cared for, understanding firsthand the emotional toll of hospitalization and the fear of one’s own body turning against them. 

Now, after two years of living seizure-free, Sadie continues to persevere through the challenges presented by her epilepsy. She currently works as a full-time RN and is enrolled as a part-time student at SUNY Brockport, where she is completing a Bachelor of Science in nursing. Sadie’s hard work and dedication to her patients have earned her the title of “Rookie of the Year” and “Employee of the Quarter” at her first nursing job. Sadie’s ambition reaches far beyond academics and career goals—she shared that she is determined to run a half-marathon in the future! 

Sadie’s journey has transformed her into a fierce advocate for not only epilepsy and seizure first aid education but also ignited a passion for advocating for mental health—both personally and professionally. She believes that even when a diagnosis presents physical symptoms, the mental toll is just as real and deserving of attention. “Epilepsy is more than seizures in many forms; it’s a change in your entire life and mental health, too”, Sadie shared. 

What does Sadie think everyone should know about epilepsy?  

“You are never alone. There are always resources that are available and people that love you.”