Hannah was diagnosed with epilepsy at the age of 25 and, in the two years since, she has refused to let it define her. Instead, she has reimagined her life with resilience, determination, and a strong commitment to advocating for herself and others.
Early on in her journey with epilepsy, Hannah struggled to return to her old life, often asking, “When will I feel better again?” Frustrated by not feeling heard by her care providers, she found a new neurologist who she felt truly listened to her, spending hours understanding her story and developing a care plan that best supported her needs. This experience empowered Hannah to take control of her health and become a strong self-advocate. Hannah felt seen and understood. “She was honest with me, which I think is really important in your health journey.” Hannah stated.
Alongside physical barriers, her diagnosis also brought emotional challenges, including anxiety and grief. She shared the difficulty she had from going from living a rather “normal” life to having her life completely changed. Grieving the life she once lived and the idea of her future she once had. Things she was once able to do became much harder to do. Spontaneous weekend outings during her time living in California came to a halt when she moved back home due to her seizures.
Her diagnosis took a toll on her body and her mental health. Hannah shared she had struggled with anxiety prior to her diagnosis, but it had heightened upon the onset of her seizures. One encounter that has driven this fear, Hannah shared, was a near-death experience at the age of 25 due to her seizures. Since her diagnosis and that terrifying experience, she consistently lives with the fear of having a tonic-clonic seizure, which causes her to black out, with no signs or warnings.
Alongside these challenges presented by her diagnosis, Hannah has navigated profound personal loss, including the passing of her sister at the age of 26 after being diagnosed with swine flu (H1N1) Hannah shared how she experienced survivor’s guilt, as at the age of 27, she has outlived her sister.
She had to come to terms with the fact that it was likely that she wasn’t going to feel the same as she once had, but she has made it her priority to find her “new normal”. Through therapy and physical therapy, she has found a sense of familiarity in her reimagined life and future. The path to get to where she is today included prioritizing her health, both physical and mental, and following her care plan. Hannah has found immense value in prioritizing her mental health alongside her physical health.
Despite the challenges Hannah has faced, she continues to find joy in everyday moments. “We have to continue living. I love finding the beauty of joy in the little things in life. Life is too short. Live it to the fullest.” Hannah shared.
Epilepsy can happen to anyone at any age, and it is so much more than what people see during a seizure. It can impact every part of someone’s life, mental health, memory, anxiety, independence, relationships, and even the way they move through the world each day. Many people living with epilepsy carry invisible fears and challenges behind the scenes while still trying to live full, “normal” lives.
Hannah is currently seizure-free, working on continuing to rebuild a fulfilling life full of accomplishments, new experiences, and happy moments. Hannah now schedules time in her calendar for spontaneity, like her calendar had been filled with once before.
Academically, Hannah has also demonstrated remarkable perseverance. In 2021, she received her bachelor’s degree in English and Communications, and in 2024, she received her master’s in business administration (MBA), both from The College of Saint Rose. During the spring semester of her final year in her MBA program, she experienced her first seizure. While balancing her new diagnosis and the news of the impending closure of the college, Hannah was determined to complete her degree at the place she had called home since 2016. Hannah was able to finish her second degree with an impressive GPA of 3.93! Hannah attributes her success to her on-campus community of support, including her professors, who she is grateful for their understanding and care for her health as well as her future.
Looking ahead, Hannah is focused on continuing to build a life where epilepsy does not limit her dreams while continuing to grow personally and professionally. She is committed to being a voice for epilepsy awareness and support, reminding others that while epilepsy can change your path, it does not define who you are.
What does Hannah want others to know about epilepsy?
“I want others to understand how important empathy, awareness, and support truly are, because epilepsy does not define a person.”
