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Meet Penelope Zareski, one of EFNENY’s 2026 Winning Kids! Diagnosed at just six years old, Penelope has shown remarkable strength and determination. Now eleven and in sixth grade, Penelope pushes through every obstacle and continues to approach life with confidence and optimism. Despite the challenges her epilepsy presents, Penelope continues to immerse herself in every…

Meet Ada Indira Yesupriya, one of EFNENY’s 2026 Winning Kids! Diagnosed with epilepsy at age five, Ada is now two and a half years seizure-free and has not let her epilepsy slow her down. A bright and enthusiastic second grader who loves school, learning, and recently celebrated a personal milestone, performing a solo in her winter concert!  She has continued to dream big and shared her hope of one day becoming a chef, teacher, pediatrician, inventor, and a mom. …

Skylar Swatt was diagnosed with myoclonic and generalized tonic-clonic seizures at the age of 14. Now 29, she continues to navigate life with epilepsy. To manage her seizures, she relies on medication, exercise, and talk therapy. Despite the challenges that come with her diagnosis, Skylar continues to thrive both personally and professionally within her career…

Edmund “Eddie” Girtler joined the Epilepsy Foundation of Northeastern New York (EFNENY) in September 2025 as the Marketing & Communications Intern.  Eddie is currently a senior at Siena University, majoring in Marketing Communications. He is set to graduate in May 2026.  Motivated by a desire to help others and inspired by a personal connection, Eddie…

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…

Like many high school seniors, Elliot Haverly looked forward to a year filled with milestones and new beginnings. But his journey took an unexpected turn, just months before the school year began- he was diagnosed with epilepsy at age 16. As Elliot prepares to graduate this spring, he stands as a testament to resilience, determination, and…

Kayla Beaudoin is a shining example of what it means to rise above adversity. She is a talented student-athlete, a role model, a changemaker, and a young woman who proves that with courage and compassion, an epilepsy diagnosis can become a powerful mission—one that inspires others to believe in the strength of perseverance and the…

Chris Degnan was 58 years of age when she received a diagnosis that would change her life: epilepsy. It came as a shock—she was the first in her family to be diagnosed, and for a long time, she didn’t know anyone else with this diagnosis.  But as with many challenges in her life, Chris faced…

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,…

Dustin Russell is a 15-year-old freshman in high school who finds joy in sports and loves his friends and family. Dustin is also 1 in 26. This statistic represents that 1 in every 26 individuals will be diagnosed with epilepsy at some point in their lifetime.  Epilepsy can affect a person at any point during…

At just four years old Ada Jordan, has become both a fighter and a nurturer through her journey with epilepsy.  On the week of her very first birthday, Ada was diagnosed with epilepsy. She began to deal with many complex partial seizures, a type of seizure that originates in a specific part in the brain.…

Adaline Casey is unstoppable, and she knows it!  At 5 months old, Adaline began having Infantile Spasms, a short type of seizure that occurs in babies and causes them to stiffen and jerk their muscles. She later started having atonic seizures and was eventually diagnosed with focal epilepsy. She is now on medication to help…

Lauren Vale was diagnosed with epilepsy at the age of 18. Lauren has persevered through the difficulties presented by her epilepsy and has made it a priority to overcome the obstacles she has been faced with. Her diagnosis and struggles have motivated her to drive change within our community.  The stigma behind epilepsy is a…

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…