Epilepsy Advocate
Strength in numbers™
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Meet the Advocates

Epilepsy Advocates are people living with epilepsy and caregivers who have refused to compromise and sought the best treatment for controlling seizures with minimal side effects.

By sharing their personal success stories online and within local communities, Epilepsy Advocates strive to inspire people to interact with other people with epilepsy, learn from one another, and make positive changes in each other's lives. It's their personal commitment to making a difference in their community and themselves. This section gives you the story of each Epilepsy Advocate in his or her own words, including several videos.

You can get involved now, too, by joining the community or by signing up to attend an upcoming Epilepsy Advocate community event. You'll make new connections, find new inspirations, and discover that, together, there is Strength in numbers™.

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Adrian E. - Diagnosed in 1976 - Read Adrian's story
Seizure Type: Complex partial
"Imagination makes me who I am and got me where I am today. "

Amy S. - Diagnosed in 1989 - Read Amy's story
Seizure Type: Tonic-clonic
"I was born a fighter and I will fight every day."

Amy W. - Caregiver of son Spencer - Diagnosed in 2003 - Read Amy's story
Seizure Type: Simple partial
"Helping Spencer live a normal life will help others know they can, too. "

Andrea H. - Diagnosed in 1973 - Read Andrea's story
Seizure Type: Complex partial
"I refuse to let my epilepsy stop me from doing the things I love to do."

Arlene L. - Caregiver of husband John - Diagnosed in 1968 - Read Arlene's story
Seizure Type: Tonic-clonic
"Epilepsy is nothing to be ashamed of, nothing to fear. "

Audrey A. - Diagnosed in 1972 - Read Audrey's story
Seizure Type: Complex partial
"I don't believe you have to fight your epilepsy, I learned to live positively with it."

Bill B. - Diagnosed in 1998 - Read Bill's story
Seizure Type: Complex partial
"Why NOT me? "

Bryan G. - Diagnosed in 1990 - Read Bryan's story
Seizure Type: Simple partial
"The face of epilepsy is changing with knowledge, awareness, and understanding. "

Carie W. - Diagnosed in 2002 - Read Carie's story
Seizure Type: Tonic-clonic
"Having epilepsy has made me stronger."

Chris M. - Diagnosed in 1996 - Read Chris' story
Seizure Type: Complex partial
"I am a man with hope. "

Debbie C. - Diagnosed in 2001 - Read Debbie's story
Seizure Type: Tonic-clonic
"While I don't let epilepsy define who I am, living with it is a big part of my life."

Diane H. - Caregiver of daughter Melissa - Diagnosed in 1982 - Read Diane's story
Seizure Type: Complex partial
"Melissa is our beacon of hope."

Greg G. - Caregiver of son Jake - Diagnosed in 2003 - Read Greg's story
Seizure Type: Absence, primary generalized tonic-clonic
"The more that we advocate for epilepsy, the more that we talk about it, the more everyone knows about epilepsy, the easier it will be to find a cure."

Heather O. - Diagnosed in 1984 - Read Heather's story
Seizure Type: Tonic-clonic
"I am determined not to let epilepsy control me or hold me back. "

Heather E. - Diagnosed in 1994 - Read Heather's story
Seizure Type: Tonic-clonic
"Epilepsy is something I have, not something I am."

Jessica R. - Diagnosed in 2000 - Read Jessica's story
Seizure Type: Tonic-clonic
"You have to find the strength to love yourself, good things and bad. "

John D. - Diagnosed in 2004 - Read John's story
Seizure Type: Complex partial
"My life is much more than just living with epilepsy."

John L. - Diagnosed in 1968 - Read John's story
Seizure Type: Tonic-clonic
"I am living my life free of fear and shame. "

Justin Z. - Diagnosed in 1999 - Read Justin's story
Seizure Type: Tonic-clonic and simple partial
"If you think of epilepsy as a disability, people will treat you that way. "

Kristy R. - Diagnosed in 2000 - Read Kristy's story
Seizure Type: Simple partial
"Every day I wake up, I'm happy. I dance and I sing and I make people laugh."

Louis G. - Diagnosed in 1982 - Read Louis' story
Seizure Type: Tonic-clonic
"Good things can come out of the worst things in life - you never know."

Lu Ann H. - Diagnosed in 1997 - Read Lu Ann's story
Seizure Type: Complex partial
"Daily living with epilepsy is not a terrible thing; it's something I've come to deal with."

Mary Ann H. - Diagnosed in 1964 - Read Mary Ann's story
Seizure Type: Complex partial
"I'm here as living proof that life is a journey."

Melissa H. - Diagnosed in 1982 - Read Melissa's story
Seizure Type: Complex partial
"Being open about epilepsy takes away a lot of the fear. "

Michele G. - Diagnosed in 1989 - Read Michele's story
Seizure Type: Complex partial
"Are you going to let this stop you from living life?"

Michele W. - Caregiver of daughter Rachel - Diagnosed in 2002 - Read Michele's story
Seizure Type: Complex partial
"Rachel has brought many blessings into our lives. "

Phillip G. - Diagnosed in 1991 - Read Phillip's story
Seizure Type: Absence, primary generalized tonic-clonic
"I try to see epilepsy as just a small part of my life."

Rebecca F. - Diagnosed in 1997 - Read Rebecca's story
Seizure Type: Complex partial and tonic-clonic
"You don't have to give up your dreams to epilepsy."

Robin H. - Diagnosed in 2005 - Read Robin's story
Seizure Type: Tonic-clonic
"My friends call me the `Unsinkable Molly Brown.' I totally agree."

Sherry F. - Caregiver of son Bryan - Diagnosed in 2004 - Read Sherry's story
Seizure Type: Simple partial and complex partial
"With a lot of hugs, kisses, and laughter, we are making it through."

Susan N. - Diagnosed in 2003 - Read Susan's story
Seizure Type: Complex partial
"I'm feeling like my old self again."

Tim T - Diagnosed in 1979 - Read Tim's story
Seizure Type: Complex partial
"Seek the best care you can find, and don't give up until you are satisfied."

Todd E. - Caregiver of son Kevin - Diagnosed in 2002 - Read Todd's story
Seizure Type: Simple partial
"The hardest part was knowing I couldn't fix Kevin."