By Deron Hamel
Andreia Real says she has found living with epilepsy to be more of a motivator than a challenge.
She first began experiencing febrile seizures as a young child, but wasn’t diagnosed with epilepsy until age 15, after having two severe seizures.
After being diagnosed, Andreia says her first reaction was “why me?” But her older brother had a conversation with her about epilepsy that ensured her positive perspective. He explained the risks of the condition, but also provided her with the names of notable people who also have epilepsy.
“Immediately, my perspective of epilepsy changed,” Andreia says, adding that this conversation fuelled her ambition to strive for great heights. She began dedicating herself more to her studies and extracurricular activities.
“My condition has not impeded my dreams but liberated them,” she says. “Ironically, (a condition) that at first I thought had disabled my future has actually shaped it and given my life purpose.”
Andreia, who graduated from Loretto College School in Toronto in June, says her teachers took notice of her resilience; they made her a “mindful ambassador,” a group of students selected to discover innovative methods of dealing with challenges affecting the school’s community.
In September, Andreia will be attending the University of Toronto to study criminology. Her goal is to become a lawyer so she “can use the law to better the community.”
“I want to provide affordable counsel to my community so that anyone that requires justice can achieve it,” she says.
To help with her educational pursuits, Andreia has received an OBCL Epilepsy Scholarship Award. She is one of four students to receive the award this year. The scholarships were presented to recipients June 17 during Epilepsy Ontario’s Summerfest: Sail Away cruise in Toronto.
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.
In the meantime, Andreia is looking ahead to her future with optimistic zeal.
“No one knows what the future holds, but I can guarantee one thing, I will not be using epilepsy as a reason to not achieve my goals; I will use it as my motivator,” she says.
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