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Epilepsy does not have to hold you back. Aiden Gonzalez is proving that and more! Aiden was diagnosed with epilepsy when he was 7 years old, when he began having absence seizures. This is a type of seizure that causes someone to stare off and lose consciousness for a short period of time. He has…

Alexandria Stone is one of the many individuals who faces mental health challenges due to a health diagnosis. Diagnosed with epilepsy at the age of twenty, she is now celebrating one year without seizures and is actively taking steps to prioritize her mental health.   Initially, Alexandria felt isolated due to her diagnosis as she didn’t…

On the first day of his first job, at just fifteen years old, Stephen Stewart experienced his first seizure. Now, ten years later, Stephen works at Merrill Lynch where he is an Officer; Registered Client Associate.   Now twenty-six, he effectively manages his epilepsy through medication, prioritizing rest, and staying attuned to his body. Stephen…

Rebecca Thomas was diagnosed with epilepsy at just three years old. Rebecca grew up with support from her family who cultivated an environment where she was not made to feel different due to her diagnosis. Rebecca aims to continue to teach everyone around her that same mindset and help end the stigma around epilepsy.  Rebecca’s…

Sarah Hayes, a recent high school graduate who has been seizure-free for 7 years, is aiming high as she embarks on the next chapter of her life. A successful 2024 graduate of Bethlehem High School, Sarah has not only secured a spot at her top choice university, Binghamton University, but is this year’s Epilepsy Foundation…

An Unexpected Journey Bee experienced her first seizure at the age of nineteen on her college campus. As a young adult who had never experienced a health scare like this, she attributed it to the stress of exams, lack of sleep, and increased pressure during finals week. Unfortunately, those around her at the time were…

Taking additional precautions to guarantee safety in and around water is crucial for all individuals, with particular emphasis on those with epilepsy. In Northeastern New York, June marks the beginning of various water-related activities due to the increasing temperatures. Nevertheless, water safety is a significant issue that should be addressed throughout the year, including within…

Quinn J. Reilly recently celebrated his 12th birthday. Within his 12 years of life, Quinn has experienced many challenges due to epilepsy. He experienced his first seizure at 9 months old and received a diagnosis at the age of 2. Quinn’s journey with epilepsy has been filled with ups and downs, but he has always…

Liam has faced multiple challenges in his 10 years of life. What started with a 7-minute-long seizure in May of 2021, turned into a diagnosis of epilepsy. Despite facing these health challenges, Liam’s spirit remained resilient and strong. With the support of his family and dedicated medical professionals at Albany Medical Center, Four Seasons Pediatrics,…

We are excited to introduce one of our new 2024 Winning Kids, Khrystian Benoit. The day after Khrystian Benoit and his family celebrated their 3rd Thanksgiving together, their lives were altered due to a new diagnosis. Khrystian had suffered his first ever seizure. Now, at eleven years old, after thirteen trials with different medications, many…

No one expects to be diagnosed with epilepsy. Even less expect to be diagnosed in their early 40’s. Yet this was the reality Kevin Volk faced when he was diagnosed with epilepsy at the age of 43. Determined to not let the diagnosis control his life, Kevin has been diligent in finding the medication treatment…

Betty DiMaria was diagnosed with focal epilepsy at three years old. She has now been seizure free for the past thirteen years and boasts an impressive forty plus years in successful business careers. Since the age of twenty, despite two break-through seizures, Betty has worked full-time without any disruptions due to epilepsy. As a result…

Teagan Ketchum has always had a love for hockey. Yet, being a dedicated D1 athlete in college, and now the General Manager of The Hockey Hut, a local ice hockey club in Saratoga County, did not come without its challenges. Throughout her life Ketchum was faced with a challenge: balance being a top-notch athlete while…

Katherine Ziegler was diagnosed with epilepsy when she was in the 6th grade. As an avid performer, Katherine was faced with challenges from her epilepsy diagnosis that made her time on the stage much different. The fear of her new diagnosis prevented her from living an active life. After trial and error with medication to…

Stephen Piorkowski became sick with German Measles at the age of two which caused encephalitis. This illness resulted in Stephen having tonic-clonic seizures and led to him eventually being diagnosed with epilepsy. Throughout his life he has had some major falls due to his epilepsy, some of which resulted in injury, but Stephen has always…

Though newly diagnosed, Tess Harrington is determined to not let her new reality impact her previously planned goals! Diagnosed at 19, Tess is now 20 and a Junior in college at Roanoke College in Virginia. Tess recently attended the Middlebury College Arabic language program this past summer to help further prepare her for her double…

Sarah Bibo’s epilepsy story started with a diagnosis of tonic clonic seizures when she was just 8 years old. Years later, and on the verge of turning to surgery, Bibo’s doctor suggested one last medicine to try. With much luck, the intended effect was achieved and Bibo remained seizure free until she turned 30. “I…