Gallagher, who graduated from Aldershot High School in 2012, has had her share of challenges along the way. In 2010 she suffered a brain aneurysm rupture, resulting in her having seizures.Experiencing frequent seizures afterwards, Gallagher was forced to give up some of the things she loved, including go-karting – she holds the distinction of being the first Canadian female go-kart driver to race in the DD2 shifter class, racing at speeds in excess of 120 km/h – and many sports.She went through several surgeries during this time and today has her seizures controlled with medication.While Gallagher says she has accepted that she will have challenges in life, she is prepared to face them head-on.“I know that these obstacles will continue to pop up throughout my life, but I have worked hard to overcome everything life has thrown at me thus far, so I am confident I can continue this path,” she says.

In fact, Gallagher says the challenges she’s already faced have provided her with the tools needed for a successful medical career.“I also believe that my first-hand experiences will really help me in this field, not only because of all the time I’ve spent in hospitals and learning about the (health-care) environment, but also because I will be able to relate to patients and understand what they are going through,” she says. Alexander Johnson is another OBCL scholarship winner.

Like Gallagher, Johnson has had to face the challenges that come with epilepsy. Diagnosed with the neurological disorder at 13, Johnson says what has helped him persevere is his personal motto: “Never give up.”

Prior to his diagnosis, Johnson was active in sports and played on his school’s soccer team, until a seizure forced him to give up the sport. Still, his “Never give up” motto came into play, and Johnson took on a managerial role for his team for a couple of years, until repeated seizures forced him to step down.

The continued challenges his seizure disorder presented for Johnson brought him to consider other interests.

Music was a natural creative outlet for him to think about; having spent nine years playing various instruments he felt he “could do something more with that talent.”

Johnson began putting his strengths as a musician to good use. He has written songs for Alzheimer’s patients, and has played in his high school’s tour band, which has performed at two Canadian Cancer Society fundraisers and at events at a local church.

“I managed to keep motivated – never giving up – and despite not being seizure-free, I have found that a lifestyle that will create a long and winding road to help me ascend on what was once a foreign mountain,” he says.

Johnson will be using his scholarship to pursue a bachelor of arts degree in professional writing from York University.  

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.Here’s a list of this year’s scholarship winners. Watch for further stories about the OBCL Epilepsy Scholarship Award recipients.