Topic: Health & Wellness

Melissa Bernstein, along with her husband Doug, is the Co-Founder of the toy company Melissa & Doug, which has created over 5,000 children’s products and sold billions of dollars of toys since its inception. Raised by educators, Melissa and Doug started the business in their garage in 1988, and they’ve been on a mission ever since to provide open-ended, inventive, non-technology playthings for young children. Throughout Melissa’s remarkable career, she kept secret her lifelong battle with severe depression and anxiety. She reveals her struggles in LifeLines: An Inspirational Journey From Profound Darkness to Radiant Light, her first book, which she wrote to help others who are also suffering. Melissa’s book heralds the launch of LifeLines.com, an online ecosystem she and Doug are underwriting to support those seeking support, guidance, and community on their mental health journeys. Melissa lives in Connecticut with Doug and their six children.

Interviewed by our Different & Able President and Founder, Alexandra Nicklas, Melissa delves into her lifelong battle with what she calls the “demon” voice inside her head and how her feelings of loneliness fueled her depression. In the interview, Melissa also shares what she has learned about creativity, existential depression, and the LifeLines that enabled her to triumph over anxiety, depression, and despair.

Judith Brisman, Ph.D., C.E.D.S., (Certified Eating Disorder Specialist) is a renowned expert in the field of eating disorders, as well as a sought-after supervisor, speaker and consultant. She opened the first center in the United States dedicated to the treatment of bulimia, the Bulimia Treatment Associates (BTA). Over time, BTA was renamed the Eating Disorder Resource Center (EDRC) as the treatment program expanded to include work with anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorder and other body image disorders. Dr. Brisman was founding director and director of training at EDRC in New York for over thirty-five years. Since then, Dr. Brisman offers individualized interpersonal psychoanalysis and psychotherapy services to clients in recovery from eating disorders. Her work focuses on the need for direct intervention with disordered eating and related behavioral health issues, while maintaining a sensitive exploration of the psychological factors involved. All of her treatment plans are individualized and intimate, drawing on theories of interpersonal psychology as well as evidence-based treatment practices including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT).

Dr. Brisman is a co-author of Surviving an Eating Disorder, which was the first book of its kind to offer effective solutions and support for family and friends of those with eating disorders. Also, she is on the editorial board of Eating Disorders: The Journal of Treatment and Prevention, an associate editor for the journal Contemporary Psychoanalysis, and an expert in running training seminars and presentations, regarding the interpersonal treatment of eating disorders. Dr. Brisman is on faculty at the William Alanson White Institute, where she has also been a supervisor of psychotherapy.

Interviewed by our Founder & President, Alexandra Nicklas, Dr. Brisman offers a crash course in understanding the difference between someone who eats disorderly and someone with an eating disorder. She also shares some typical traits of those with eating disorders: perfectionism, genetic disposition, and susceptibility to the pressures of society. Those pressures, mainly from social media, distort weight parameters and the false perception that looking thin equals self-confidence and self actualization. Dr. Brisman says, “People individually have the bullets. The culture shoots the gun.”

Gary Guller is a world-renowned record-setting mountaineer, professional motivational speaker, and author of the book, Make Others Greater: From Mt. Everest to the Boardroom: Vital Lessons from Dynamic Innovators, Explorers and Everyday Heroes That Will Inspire the Way You Lead. Gary began rock climbing in his teens and had the passion to climb mountain ranges throughout the United States. As he became more versed in mountain climbing, Gary soon set his sights on the bigger mountains of the world. In 1986, Gary and two of his friends decided they would climb the highest mountain in Mexico and the third highest mountain in North America.

On their trek up the mountain, Gary and his two friends plummeted down the icy face of the mountain in a frightening accident. A rescue team found the group three days later, a time period Gary refers to now as, “72 hours Of Darkness.” His good friend Jerry had died; Gary and Dave were evacuated to hospitals. Gary had suffered a broken neck and the nerve roots going to his left arm were pulled out of the spinal cord, resulting in paralysis of his left arm and shoulder. He underwent surgery to regain partial movement of his arm. Unfortunately, this operation was not successful and Gary made the difficult decision to have his paralyzed left arm amputated.

Thanks to inspirational words from his grandfather, Gary eventually regained the urge to climb. With new motivation, he began hiking and camping, eventually making his way back to climbing. In 2001, Gary was physically prepared to climb Mt. Everest, but was not ready mentally. On his first attempt, he only made it halfway. After word spread of Gary’s travels, he was asked to speak about his experiences to a group of people with differences. It was during this speaking engagement that a man with quadriplegia approached him; this man asked Gary if he would ever take a person, with a difference like his, mountain climbing. Without hesitation Gary went on to recruit a diverse team of 30 members, which included the man that approached him.

In 2003, Gary not only climbed Mt. Everest, but he also led the biggest group of people with differences, to the base camp at 17,500 feet. It was one of the most important moments in his life. The group consisted of Gary, sherpas, people with paraplegia, people with quadriplegia, people whose legs or arms had been amputated, and people who had mental differences. It took the group twenty-one days to complete the trek. From the base camp, Gary along with a sherpa carried on, summiting the world’s highest peak. On May 23, 2003, Gary stood on Mt. Everest, proving a point that dreams have no limitations. The documentary, “Team Everest: A Himalayan Journey,” released in 2007, chronicles Gary and his remarkable group of trekkers on their expedition to the world’s highest mountain.

Since Everest, Gary has been climbing mountains all over the world, including Cho Oyu, the world’s sixth highest mountain. In April 2010, he completed the Marathon des Sables in Morocco, a six-day, 250-km endurance race across the Sahara Desert. When Gary is not competing in tremendously magnificent athletic experiences, he is a professional motivational speaker who uses his experiences to share with others the importance of equality, hard work, team-spirit and determination. He has presented to IBM, American Express, HP, Goldman Sachs, Raytheon and Microsoft. Gary has also been featured on major media outlets, such as ABC World News Tonight, CNN, the BBC, The New York Times, and the Los Angeles Times.

In this interview with our Different & Able President and Founder, Alexandra Nicklas, Gary shares his journey to Everest, his love of adventure, and unstoppable philosophies. Gary has embraced adversity and continues to overcome any obstacles that stand in the way of possibility. “The right to explore is a right of all individuals, regardless of their ability or their disability. We as members of today’s society cannot determine the potential of any person, on the basis of their color, culture, gender, orientation or disability,” says Gary.

Celine Dion is one of the most recognized singer-songwriters with more than 200 million albums sold. Her music has spanned decades with breakout songs including, My Heart Will Go On, Alive and That’s The Way It is. Born into a musical family, she developed her love for music from a young age. Celine in her own words, “All I know is singing. It is what I have done all my life. And it’s what I love to do the most.” From performing worldwide to now barely performing anymore, Celine is now fighting.

Celine’s life and career were instantly changed when she began experiencing symptoms associated with Stiff Person Syndrome, also known as SPS. SPS is a rare neurological condition where the nervous system becomes “hyper-excitable”. Muscles become stiff in the trunk, arms, and legs. Mobility can be affected creating irregular gait patterns, stiff movement, and increased risk of falling. SPS has also had a dramatic impact on Celine’s voice. She now struggles to sing and to deal with the changes to her voice and vocal cords is difficult to accept. SPS has no cure. There are, however, multiple treatments that can be helpful. Immunotherapies in conjunction with medication and physical therapy can improve quality of life and mobility.

Celine now has the strength and courage to open up about her condition. Her journey with SPS paints a picture that shows very directly and honestly what it’s like living with this condition. Her documentary, I Am: Celine Dion is moving, poignant, and raw. Underlying the portrayal of day-to-day life with SPS, Celine exemplifies a fighter who won’t give up in the face of adversity.

Celine’s goal is to return to the stage. She will do anything to sing, even if she has to make accommodations to perform. She recently achieved this goal with her amazing and awe inspiring performance at the opening Ceremonies of the 2024 Olympic games in Paris. Celine is a fighter and I am confident we will be seeing a lot more of her on stage soon.

Additional resource: Stiff Person Syndrome (NINDS)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=smKqMiGXxl4

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a progressive neurological disease that attacks the central nervous system, including the brain, spinal cord and optic nerve. Myelin, a protective layer of nerve fibers, disrupts signals to and from the brain. Symptoms vary and can include 1) Numbness, tingling and pain in the arms, legs, trunk or face 2) Muscle spasms 3) Balance issues. New studies indicate that with age, there is a reduction in the body’s ability to repair myelin. Onset of disease ranges from twenty to forty years old. Severity can range from mild to severe.

More and more celebrities are being diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Selma Blair, Jamie-Lynn Sigler and Christina Applegate all share the diagnosis. Each are sharing their stories with the public.

Selma Blair, an actress known for her roles in Cruel Intentions, Legally Blonde and the Sweetest Thing was diagnosed with MS in 2018. However, she believed symptoms started years prior. As a child, she had constant pain, fatigue and mood swings. As she got older and entered adulthood, Selma had difficulties with her vision and had involuntary muscle contractions in her neck. Post her diagnosis, she decided to make a documentary, “Introducing Selma Blair,” to give viewers an inside look at life with MS. Selma has endured a lot and now is an advocate for others.

Jamie-Lynn Sigler, an actress known for her role in the HBO series, The Sopranos, was diagnosed with MS in 2002. Over the years, she has been candid about her MS and treatment.

She faces regular struggles with balance, running, wearing high heels and bladder control. She says, “I’m uncomfortable 24/7. I am always a little stiff, I’m always a little achy. But I have been this way for so long, it’s my normal.”

Christina Applegate, an actress known for her role in the series “Dead to Me,” was diagnosed with MS in 2021. Prior to her diagnosis, she recalls having tingling sensations in her feet. She believes though she had it for many years prior. When her symptoms became worse, it was her friend, Selma Blair, who encouraged her to get tested. Christina and Jamie have become close friends, as Jamie helps Christina get through her tough days. Christina notes, “I’m flipping the bird all day long at this thing. And I’m angry. I’m really, really p—-.” Christina and Jamie-Lynn also launched their own podcast, “Messy,” where they talk about MS and everything in between.

As with all illnesses, it is important that if you or someone you know is experiencing unusual symptoms, like those mentioned above, to consult a physician. Hopefully within due time, there will be a cure for MS.

We know that MS, like other illnesses or neurological conditions, can be difficult challenges to face. We at Different & Able, provide information and support to our community as they face neurological challenges. While our approach is to have a positive, can do outlook, we know that at times there can be struggles. These struggles can be challenging and difficult. It is important to acknowledge that difficulties are a part of life experience and they can be hard. We encourage you to support each other when you struggle and know that you are not alone. We invite you to share your stories with us and the D&A community.

“Repeat after me: newspaper, rose, hamburger”.

No response.

“Ms. Smith, repeat after me, newspaper, rose, hamburger”.

No response.

The clinician looked at 22-year-old me and said, “Ms. Smith has progressive Multiple Sclerosis – this is a very severe case.” This was my last day at my clinical placement, it was all too much for me to handle.

I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 2012; I was 22 at the time. They were not sure what was wrong with me at first. I was a frail, 20-something college student, following a strict “vegan diet” to cover up underlying issues with food and chain smoking American Spirits – I was the poster child for malnourishment and ill health. But my symptoms had suddenly become much more serious than just poor general health. My symptoms consisted of going blind in my right eye when overheated, stressed, working out, eating soup, drinking coffee, sitting in fluorescent lights, smoking, drinking, sitting in class, putting on eyeliner – okay, I was basically blind all the time! For a long time though, I hid my symptoms. I would tell my friends, “It’s getting better!”

I went through a year of tests – spinal taps, blood work, MRIs, you name it. My mother has had Multiple Sclerosis since 1998 and with my family history and the nerve damage in my right eye, the doctors wanted to be thorough. One hospital discharged me and told me to take vitamins. After a year of multiple hospitals, cities, and doctors, I was diagnosed. Multiple Sclerosis, according to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, is an unpredictable, often disabling disease of the central nervous system that disrupts the flow of information within the brain, and between the brain and the body. No, I wasn’t going to die – but it sure felt like that sometimes.

I was a Speech-Language Pathology undergraduate student at the time and my final placement was at a rehab center in Brooklyn. I could tell my professors were nervous about sending me there after hearing of my recent diagnosis, but I felt positive about the placement; after all, I had been living with my mother having this disabling disease my whole life. I even wrote in one of my papers that I wanted to work with adults with neurogenic disorders. At the time, I don’t think I realized how much this placement would affect me. One client I met had progressive Multiple Sclerosis, and her mind was gone. No responses. No eye contact. No “connection” to her verbal language. The clinician explained that they saw her decline and watched this disease take everything she had to offer. I was a good student. Straight A’s, always punctual, engaging and communicative. I stopped going. This was my final year of school, and I just gave up. It was too much. Luckily, Marymount Manhattan College has wonderful and empathetic professors who understood what I was going through and changed my placement to a preschool. I will forever be thankful for that.

Now that I’m in graduate school, I look back on those moments of weakness in the first months of my diagnosis. I am now, a completely different person. My Multiple Sclerosis has changed me, and for lack of a better term, for the better.

I left New York City in 2014 to move to Philadelphia. Philadelphia was closer to my parents and had cheaper rent. I had always had an interest in nutrition, hence my vegan diet at such a young age, and I started learning how to take care of myself through nutrition. I started accepting that my condition was incurable, and I needed to handle it. I chose to stop taking my disease-modifying drugs, which left bruises all over my body, and manage this disease in a more holistic fashion. I kept up with my vegan diet, but incorporated more whole, plant based foods. I started juicing, eating raw foods, and exercising daily. Now, by no means, am I perfect at this point. This has been a journey and quite the process. In early 2015, I met my future husband, and we moved to Colorado a year later. Still eating whole foods and managing my Multiple Sclerosis naturally – I remained symptom free. I started my graduate degree in Speech Pathology, and my Multiple Sclerosis was nowhere to be found. I felt like I healed myself. I wrote a blog and gave diet and exercise advice to everyone who asked (and people who didn’t ask).

And then, in 2017, I forgot how to walk for the first time. After a year of a vigorous running schedule, graduate school and a miscarriage, my body said no more. My diet was good, but it wasn’t great. As cliché as this sounds, life happens. Things take the back burner – things that shouldn’t. At the time, I was off disease modifying drugs for 3 years with no symptoms. I became lax. I had too many glasses of wine some nights, and living back in Philadelphia, too many vegan cheesesteaks. Just when I thought I was done with this disease, I was right back where I had started – in that god awful tube for another MRI. My legs were weak and shaky and I had no feeling in the left side of my body. Once again, Multiple Sclerosis wasn’t going to kill me, but it sure felt like that.

I have a lot of flaws and a lot of things I do not like about myself. But there is one thing that I’m pretty amazing at: I don’t take no for an answer. Multiple Sclerosis has taught me that. I can barely walk? Nope, not happening. I took it to another level. I stopped running, even as much as I loved it; I felt that it was too much on my central nervous system. I started doing yoga instead – and practicing meditation. I stopped drinking – it didn’t do anything for my body. I began asking myself a question every day when waking up – what can I do for my body and my health today? What is the best for Monica? I continued eating a whole food, plant based diet and started eating 9-10 cups of raw leafy greens a day. I also began supplementing with vitamin D, which is great for people with Multiple Sclerosis.

When asked to tell my story I find myself thinking – well what part? Do you want to know about the 22-year-old that couldn’t handle her clinical placement due to an unfortunate diagnosis, who you could find on East 90th street chain-smoking? Do you want to know about my years of healing where I became a spokeswoman for healing multiple sclerosis and then miserably failed by losing my ability to walk? Do you want to know about my current diet and how I overcame failure? Ask me for my story in a year, and it will be longer. There will be more successes along with hardships. With or without an unfortunate diagnosis, life goes on. Our story lengthens as we grow as individuals.

Repeat after me, “hamburger, rose, newspaper.”

Today, I can repeat. And that’s all that matters.

Mallory Weggemann is a swimmer, a Paralympic Gold and Bronze Medalist, World Record Holder, ESPN “ESPY” Winner, author and motivational speaker. She was also featured in the Hershey’s Team USA family for their “Hello From Home” campaign. Her remarkable story has been featured on the NBC, CNN, ESPN and BBC networks, to name a few media outlets.

Mallory has been a competitive swimmer since the age of seven. On January 21, 2008, she went to the hospital to receive her third and final epidural injection that she was receiving to help treat back pain caused by postherpetic neuralgia. The epidural injections that were supposed to help with the debilitating pain instead left Mallory with paralysis, which resulted in complete loss of movement from her abdomen down.

Just three months after her injury at the age of 18, Weggemann chose to return to the pool. In April 2008, her older sister found an article in the local newspaper discussing the Paralympic Swimming Trials at the University of Minnesota. Through the encouragement of her family, Mallory attended the meet as a spectator with her sister and met several of the US National Team coaches, as well as her former coach, Jim Andersen.

Following the London 2012 Games, Mallory launched her career as a highly sought after motivational speaker and began her training for the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games. Although, in 2014 fate would leave Weggemann with another twist in her athletic journey after she sustained permanent nerve damage to her left arm. Faced with the reality of potentially having to retire, Weggemann decided that she was not willing to give up on her dream of the Rio 2016 Games without a fight. Mallory is now a two-time Paralympian.

In the interview with our Different & Able President and Founder, Alexandra Nicklas, Mallory discusses how she survived and is now thriving with her differences, making strides in her career inside and outside of the pool, increasing public awareness of paraplegia and other differences. Mallory also talks about her memoir, Limitless: The Power of Hope and Resilience to Overcome Circumstance. Mallory exemplifies grit, resilience and triumph. She states, “As hard as life can get in certain moments, there’s always a way to move forward. We just have to choose to move forward.”

Will Reeve is a graduate of Middlebury College in Vermont and holds a B.A with honors in English and American Literature. He is known as a journalist, sports broadcaster, actor, media personality, philanthropist, and as the son of Christopher and Dana Reeve. Will is a multi-platform commentator for ESPN, and serves on the Board of Directors for the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation, for which he has the role of multi-generational ambassador and community advocate. At ESPN, Will appears on platforms including, but not limited to, SportsCenter, E: 60, and ESPN Radio. He also hosts the weekly MSG Hockey Show on the MSG Network in New York City. Will’s role with both ESPN and MSG Networks is to bring his perspective to potential stories and present them in his unique style, appealing to younger sports fans yet resonating with all viewers.

Will speaks nationwide on behalf of his family and the Reeve Foundation to harness support and mobilize community involvement around critical advances in the field of spinal cord research, and to honor the legacy of his late parents, Christopher and Dana Reeve. Will is also the captain of and board liaison for Team Reeve, the Foundation’s athletic events-related fundraising arm. He has dedicated much of his life’s work to preserving his parents’ legacy through their foundation, the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation.

Interviewed by our Different & Able President and Founder, Alexandra Nicklas, Will discusses overcoming such tremendous grief at a young age, pursuing a career in sports journalism, and continuing his parents’ work to cure paralysis. He also talks about how he is carrying forward the significant journey in the search to find a cure for paralysis. Will’s passion can be summed up in a quote by his late father, “What you do is based on powers we all have inside us; the ability to endure; the ability to love, to carry on, to make the best of what we have — and you don’t have to be a ‘Superman’ to do it.”

Narcolepsy is a strange disorder. It’s strange because it centers on universal experiences: sleep and fatigue. Everyone knows what it feels like to be tired; everyone knows what it feels like to be sleepy. That said, there is a difference between narcolepsy and sleepiness, and it’s particularly important to recognize that fact when talking about an “invisible” disability like narcolepsy.

Many people lead entirely normal lives until they begin experiencing symptoms of narcolepsy. For me, it started in college. At first I just started sleeping more, feeling like I needed naps every single day. Then I started needing them twice or three times a day. Eventually, I started falling asleep involuntarily. I would fall asleep two or three times in a 60-minute lecture. I would get up in the middle of class and run laps around the building to wake myself up, only to sit down again and succumb to sleep almost immediately. I started to gain weight rapidly, and was sick all the time. I started to have intense, realistic night terrors that made me afraid to get into bed at night.

While all this was going on, I was a freshman in college and I assumed that this must just be a result of my failure to take care of myself, a consequence of staying out late at parties and reveling in my newfound freedom. So I tried to buckle down: I cut back on socializing, spent more hours in the library, tried to maintain a proper sleep schedule. But it only got worse as time went on – my grades started to slip, my relationships became strained and I fell into a deep and unrelenting depression. I felt like my whole world was falling apart because I could no longer trust my body, and by extension, myself.

I didn’t find out I had narcolepsy for a long time, so I had no word to use to try to explain these events to myself, or to others. I tried to describe how different this was from anything I had ever experienced before. I tried to prevail upon professors and administrators to hear how much I was struggling to understand what was happening. But for the most part, all anyone heard was how tired I was, and that was simply not excuse enough.

I sought out doctors at many different institutions and with many different specialties. They ran many tests that consistently came back normal; my symptoms were simply not enough to make any kind of definitive diagnosis. After receiving that message so many times, from so many people, it stopped being about my physical body. It started to be about me as a person. I was simply not enough.

I spent a long time feeling like I was coming up short, even after I was diagnosed. Even now, I sometimes ask myself: do I really need a nap or am I being selfish? Am I just lazy? Sometimes these questions get bigger and scarier: will I ever find someone who can love and accept me given my needs and circumstances? Will narcolepsy keep me from achieving my dreams?

But recently I also discovered that I’ve finally stopped blaming myself. It took hard work to come to terms with my disability and to incorporate it into my identity. I won’t say that every day is easy, but I will say that having narcolepsy forced me to slow down, to look around and appreciate my strength, tenacity and conviction. It dared me to appreciate the joy of uninhibited laughter and the satisfaction of a hard-won achievement. Perhaps most of all, it taught me to embrace those who can embrace all of me, who don’t see my disability as a barrier, but as one part of who I am.

I didn’t get here alone. I wouldn’t be where I am today without the support of others: fellow PWN (People With Narcolepsy) who have inspired me and lit the path for me during one of the darkest moments of my life, my therapist who continues to help me find compassion for myself, my friends who have stuck with me even when I wasn’t much fun to be around, and my family who have been unfailing in their efforts to understand my disability and champion efforts to cure it. I wouldn’t be where I am today without you all.

I am different. Narcolepsy makes me different. My “tired” is distinct from yours, my “sleepy” is not the same. But in that difference, there should be power, not shame. I’m proud to finally be able to see that for myself.

As a child, I was told that I was prone to seizures, but I never thought I would experience them as part of my day to day life. Everything changed, however, the first day of orientation during my freshman year at Wheaton College.

I spent the day like everyone else – moving into my dorm room, unpacking, saying goodbye to my mom and saying hello to the next chapter of my college life.

And then it happened. I was out with some new friends, eating pizza, when a piece got stuck in my throat. Seconds later, my right arm lost sensation. I started to lose consciousness. I screamed for help. I thought I was dying.

I was told my seizure lasted for a few minutes; I fell out of my chair and my body shook uncontrollably on the floor. EMS came immediately and rushed me to the hospital.

From that moment on, my life shifted. Suddenly it revolved around regular visits to doctors and hospitals, as well as frequent testing (MRIs and EEGs). I also had to try out different seizure medications to find the one that was the best fit for me.

In my college years, if anyone mentioned the word “epilepsy” or the word “seizure” I couldn’t tolerate it. I worried about my future. Would I graduate college? Would I get a job? Would I have friends?

Around this point in my journey, I met Dr. Devinsky from Finding A Cure for Epilepsy and Seizures (FACES). I have vivid memories of how I felt during my first appointment. I don’t remember much of what he said when we first met, but I definitely remember that I was crying hysterically. Dr. Devinsky has played an important role in my journey. Over time, he found a medication to adequately control my seizures. I am grateful beyond words.

I have been seizure free for six years. This was a critical step forward in my journey, and it presented me with the next important transition in my life with epilepsy. I needed to decide how I wanted to live. Was I going to live with fear? Was I going to tolerate the fear of never following my dreams? Could I live with my fear that my life would be crushed by my condition? Or, would I find the courage to persevere? Would I find the courage to push forward?

I chose to live with courage.

I refer to this choice as “my acceptance.” For me, it’s about finding a way to cope and live with the condition – for what it is – while living my life as fully as possible.

Acceptance and life experience led to four big shifts in my outlook, and my life:

• BEFORE, I thought: People would not accept me because of my epilepsy; I worried they would doubt my abilities because of my condition. NOW, I can see that people recognize how capable I am – based on my performance, rather than my epilepsy.
• BEFORE, I could not tolerate epilepsy. NOW, I am comfortable with my epilepsy, and I can talk about it openly.
• BEFORE, I thought: I could never drive or socialize freely. NOW, I have my license and drive myself to and from social events with friends.
• BEFORE, I thought: I was at the mercy of my disorder, loaded with anxiety and fear. NOW, I am on the right medication and have educated myself about my condition. My choices make me a healthy and functioning person.

I’ve come a long way…

As a girl, I didn’t understand the word.

As a young adult, I couldn’t handle hearing the word.

Now, as a woman, I can talk about my condition and say: epilepsy is a part of me.