You Are Not Fighting Alone

November 18, 2004, started as any other day. I was enrolling in college, ready to begin my life. That afternoon, I woke up in the hospital. I was told I had a seizure. At that time, we chalked it up to being tired and skipping lunch. A month later, I had another seizure while sitting at home. Every month after that, more seizures came, more tests were run, and more questions were unanswered. After about six months of seeing doctors, neurologists, and undergoing tests, I was diagnosed with epilepsy at the age of 19. 

I lost my license and my freedom. I relied on my parents and my friends to take me to classes, work, and to keep an eye on me for safety. I was embarrassed and confused. I was scared, and everyone thought something was wrong with me. I thought something was wrong with me. I was scared to be alone. I started on two medications that made me feel even worse, and the seizures kept coming. My medications would change, my hospital stays and doctor’s visits would increase. I had no hope for no end in sight. My seizures and lack of independence would continue for 13 years. 

In December of 2017, I had a seizure at home, feeling defeated yet once again. Then, in January of 2018, I became pregnant with my son. My husband and I immediately worried about my epilepsy during pregnancy, and so we spoke to doctors right away. My neurologist confirmed that I could continue my medication during my pregnancy. During those nine months, I prayed a lot, and I felt great. In September 2018, we welcomed our son into the world. He was as perfect as can be. Now, in November 2025, I have been seizure-free for almost eight years! I don’t know if pregnancy changed my body or if my son “healed” me. All I know is epilepsy is still a part of my life and daily medication is still needed, but there is hope, too.

Throughout the years, I overcame depression, an eating disorder, and feelings of failure. I felt like epilepsy took away my freedom and my feelings. The medication made me very numb at times. I overcame the feeling of embarrassment. It took many years, especially at a very delicate time in my life, to understand that while I may have epilepsy, epilepsy doesn’t have me.

While November is National Epilepsy Awareness Month, I think many people don’t know what epilepsy is and fear it. It’s not talked about enough. 1 in 10 people will have a seizure at some point in their lifetime, and 1 in 26 will be diagnosed with epilepsy. I want people to know that it’s important to talk about it and it’s okay to ask questions if you don’t understand something. I want young people to know, don’t give up. Don’t get discouraged. You are not fighting alone.

The Epilepsy Foundation provided so much information, and reading other people’s testimonies really touched my heart. I wanted to tell my story because I think it gives people hope. As a person with epilepsy, I overcame so many challenges, and as I look back, I don’t know why I didn’t talk about it sooner. Epilepsy used to be something that I cried about, but now it’s something that I want to talk about.