By Deron Hamel
While recovering from a tonic-clonic seizure, Lyndsey Canini says she found inspiration and motivation to continue pursuing her studies in creative writing and criminology after learning about the life of one of the world’s most celebrated authors.
At the time, the University of Ottawa student says she had been released from hospital and was worried about how epilepsy might impact her future when she learned that one of her favourite authors, Agatha Christie, also lived with a seizure disorder.
Lyndsey says she has always dreamed of becoming an author, but after experiencing her first tonic-clonic seizure, she was concerned that would not be possible.
But researching the life of the author often called “the Queen of Crime” changed everything, Lyndsey says.
“(I was) previously stunned by her mastery of suspense novels, my favourite genre, (but) my connection to her deepened upon discovering we had a unique paralleled experience,” Lyndsey says.
“Suddenly, my dreams felt more closely tethered to reality.”
Although Lyndsey has had seizures and more hospital visits since experiencing what she calls her “pivotal moment” of learning about the similarities she shares with the famous crime writer, she says her dreams “have never been more firmly planted.”
Lyndsey was able to complete last year’s studies with straight A’s and returned to the University of Ottawa in the fall to continue her education.
“Epileptic contemporaries, such as my role model and writing inspiration, Agatha Christie, have taught me that you cannot succumb to your disability,” Lyndsey says.
“The only one with a hand in your future is you, and I am ready to hold on tight and see where my words can carry me.”
Asked what impact she hopes to have on others living with epilepsy, Lindsey says she would like to help make epilepsy education more prevalent in schools.
“Seizures and epilepsy were never something that came up in my educational career, and since no one around me dealt with seizures, I knew virtually nothing about epilepsy until I was diagnosed,” she says.
“I’d propose a form of epilepsy education to be implemented into health classes for kids of all grades, following various formats to best adhere to the comprehensive ability of the age group. Be it through picture books, short stories, infographics, or research projects, I would like to help develop a curriculum that integrates this knowledge into our Ontario school systems.”
Lyndsey is one of six recipients of Epilepsy Ontario’s 2023 annual scholarship. For more than 15 years, Epilepsy Ontario has been providing scholarships to exceptional students who have confronted and overcome remarkable barriers in their academic and personal lives due to their epilepsy.
