Foundation Quarterly Spring 2024

The resilience of the epilepsy community is an undeniable fact. Whenever faced with a challenge, this group of dedicated people manages to always find a way around it and advocate for everyone affected by epilepsy at the same time. In this spring edition of the Foundation Quarterly we share some of the incredible stories of people with epilepsy who have found strength, created new spaces, and stood up for what is right. Read the latest edition, now available on our website.  

Inside This Issue

In this issue, you’ll find stories about members of our community who have faced difficulties and overcome them. In a personal essay, Colby Aguayo shares his perspective of being diagnosed with Juvenile Myoclonic Epilepsy (JME) at the age of 13 and the struggles that came with his diagnosis. After overcoming paralysis due to a seizure, Colby took up track and field, and began attending a camp offered by the Epilepsy Foundation. Through his participation in sports and the camp, Colby was able to express his sunny, happy disposition and not let seizures stop him from living his life.

In another story, the Copelands tell their story of how their son, Nicolas, began having seizures at just 8 months old. Schooling became a challenge – so much so that his parents decided to create their own educational program for Nicolas and established their own school in 2007 for students with learning differences. Thanks to the Copelands, school became much more accessible to Nicolas and children like him. But they didn’t stop there. As Nicolas became an adult, they created an inclusive, affordable housing complex in Maryland for adults with epilepsy and other types of disabilities.  

In the area of advocacy, this edition shares the story of Paula Moreland. Paula’s life was turned upside down when she suffered two seizures while driving. Paula joined the Epilepsy Community Advisory Board at Morehouse and co-facilitated programs to offer resources, information, and support to people with epilepsy. She also participated in the Epilepsy Foundation’s Public Policy Institute to receive advocacy training. She’s met with three of her local and state congressmen to discuss issues affecting people with epilepsy in Georgia, including veterans, cost of medications and access to epilepsy care. She also collaborated with the family who helped pass Seizure Safe Schools legislation, AJ’s Law, in the state.  

You can read these stories and more in our newest edition of Foundation Quarterly.  

Missed the last issue? Read the previous issue