From Low Self-Esteem to Sharing My Story

Growing up, I was a very happy and healthy kid with no health concerns. Then, one day at a summer camp back in 2011, my health changed for the worse, as I had a major seizure. My seizure was tonic-clonic, and shortly after, I was diagnosed with epilepsy. I was having seizures every few months. My epilepsy specialists thought it was because of my diet and lacking electrolytes. At the time, I was eating a highly processed diet filled with junk foods. They thought this diet was disrupting my normal brainwave state. My brainwaves would start to experience rapid spikes, according to the EEG, which would then manifest into seizures.  

As for symptoms before a seizure, my hands would become very sweaty, my heart would start racing, I was very disoriented, and my head would start to feel very fuzzy. I would usually wake up in an ambulance or a hospital bed with a pounding headache and a swollen tongue from biting it, which can happen to some people with seizures. I would also usually wake up with cuts all over me from falling. I experienced multiple seizures per year from ages 11-18.

My biggest challenge has undoubtedly been low self-esteem. I felt extremely embarrassed and nervous to go out into public, especially school, out of fear of being made fun of or looked at differently. I feared having a seizure every time I left the house. I began to view myself as "that kid that had seizures" instead of being like every other kid. I felt lost and alienated. It began to take a toll on my mental health, especially since I was also suffering from ADHD at the time. My diet wasn't helping my mental or physical health either. I was so scared I prayed to God time and time again to end my epilepsy, but nothing seemed to help.  

As a sophomore in high school, I got fed up. I knew I needed to change. I improved my diet drastically, mainly eating whole and unprocessed foods. I also lifted weights for the first time with my best friend. I felt amazing. I knew that these two things were starting to help. I went a year without having a seizure, and my doctor deemed me able to come off of my medication. I was ecstatic. Unfortunately, only three days went by before I had another seizure, and I had to go back on my medication.  

Despite this, I stayed the course. I continued to eat healthy and work out, and I also started to shift my mindset. I didn't view myself as a kid with epilepsy anymore. I viewed myself as a healthy and happy kid again who grew mentally and physically stronger daily. I felt as if I belonged. I didn't let my epilepsy have power over me anymore, and I no longer feared going out in public. Since I improved my diet, started lifting weights 5-6 times per week, and adopted a positive and resilient mindset,

I've had just one seizure since 2018. I consider taking my health more seriously in all facets to be the most significant factor. I am still currently on anti-seizure medication for my seizures, but my ultimate hope is that one day, I can stop taking them. Fortunately, I can drive, work out, and live normally.  

Epilepsy, in particular, certainly makes you go through some deep and dark times. However, it may not last forever, especially when you're younger. Your hormones change as you go through puberty, and some of us will grow out of it as we become adults. Either way, I urge all of you to cherish your health, as you only have one body in life. Believe that things will improve, and you will triumph over your adversities. We were all born with different gifts in life; sometimes, we must struggle before we can inspire. I know firsthand how debilitating epilepsy can be, as I've struggled with epilepsy for years. I want to encourage people with epilepsy, or caregivers of people with epilepsy, to seek out the highest quality epilepsy specialists to help them. Consider how your lifestyle - nutrition, exercise, and sleep - may impact your health.

Don't let your disabilities define your level of success in life. Don't let your struggles break you, but let them make you! Let them mold you into a stronger and more resilient version of yourself. We all go through struggles in life. Learn to transmute your struggles into a positive outlet that you can use to help inspire others going through the same issues as you. I used the most challenging time of my life to become the strongest version of myself. I decided to share my whole story in a book called "Triumph Over Adversity." My goal is to reach as many people with epilepsy as I can and encourage them never to give up hope.