Suzanne McGuire is hoping to turn her epilepsy diagnosis into an opportunity to help others affected by seizure disorders by pursuing a degree in applied health sciences from Brock University.

Upon completing her studies, McGuire, a St. Catharines native, plans to educate people about epilepsy through advocacy work and, possibly, working in health-care administration and policy decision-making.

McGuire’s life changed on Oct. 26, 2009. That afternoon, she was writing her fourth-year biomechanics midterm exam at Brock University when she suddenly woke up on the floor surrounded by her classmates and a paramedic, who explained she had a seizure.

After officially being diagnosed with epilepsy in January 2010, McGuire was presented with many challenges to complete her undergraduate degree.

When her seizures began, McGuire was taking a kinesiology course that largely centred on the physical, psychological and social dimensions of illness. Upon being diagnosed with epilepsy, she missed two months of classes, however, because the subject of her coursework was reflective of her personal challenges with epilepsy, her professor, Dr. Jarold Cosby, invited her to write a research paper to make up for classes she’d missed.

This led to an opportunity.

“After reviewing this paper, Dr. Cosby was very impressed and then asked if I wanted to complete an undergraduate thesis under his supervision, then, consequently, a master’s degree with him,” explains McGuire, who has been a graduate student at Brock since 2011.

“This was fantastic, as at the time I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life beyond university.”

Today, McGuire’s seizures are largely controlled by medication. She is also active in the epilepsy community, having run independent epilepsy campaigns for Purple Day (March 26) in 2011 and 2012. She also serves on the board of Epilepsy Niagara.

While epilepsy has caused some hardships in her life, McGuire is quick to note that good things have happened since her diagnosis three and a half years ago.

“There is no doubt that epilepsy has affected my life vastly in both positive and negative ways, but if anything, it has made me a better person, has helped me find a true passion in my life, and makes me want to help other people living with and being diagnosed with epilepsy so that they may live full and happy lives,” she says.

In June, McGuire won OBCL’s continuing studies award. She was presented with the award June 4 at a ceremony that saw five other students recognized with scholarships.

OBCL has been supporting students with epilepsy through the scholarship awards since 2006. Every year, up to 10 Ontario students win a $1,000 scholarship for post-secondary education. As part of their application package, students must submit a personal essay under that year’s theme.

Writer: Deron Hamel

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