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Epilepsy testimonials
The people featured in this section have learned to live with epliepsy and hope to help others by sharing their experiences.
Taylor Huey and Chelsea, his Canine Assistant
The dog in the photograph is Chelsea, owned by Taylor Huey. Taylor was 15 years old when he was diagnosed with epilepsy. Since then, he and his family have seen some difficult times including the arrival of Hurricane Katrina which wiped out the family business. But two months later Chelsea was given to Taylor, completely transforming his and his family’s life, and giving him the much-needed emotional support that saw him through two brain surgeries last year. During this time, staff at LSU Medical Center, Louisiana, allowed Chelsea onto the ward and the dog never left Taylor’s bedside.
Read more about the Canine Assistants in the patient programmes section
Michele Walz
Sometimes, perspective changes everything. Consider the day Michele Walz and her husband proudly presented their daughter Rachel, then three and a half, with her first bike – a red tricycle. "Rachel thought it was so cool, but when she sat on it, she just couldn't make it move," says Walz, from New Jersey.
Read more about Michele's family, living a normal, joyful life
Heather Overton
Once a month, Heather Overton looks forward to immersing herself in the detail of epilepsy because it means she'll be up to date on the latest treatments and medications. "There is that old saying, "knowledge is power," and I firmly believe that the more you know, the less you are afraid," explains Overton. And the place she turns to for empowerment is the epilepsy support group she and her mother founded two years ago - the only one in her home state of Nebraska.
Read more about Heather's epilepsy support group
Bryan Griffin
Bryan Griffin's life has undergone some pretty dramatic changes lately. This past summer, he logged 2,000 miles on his bicycle and lost 70 pounds. He returned to his former job at a tractor plant – and now even drives finished vehicles out of the factory. For the first time, Griffin's wife, Stacey, feels at ease when he's alone with their three children – Ashley, 6, Amber, 8, and Jessica, 10. And Griffin really enjoys spending time with his family. "Every day I hug them and tell them that I love them," says the Kansas native.
