Tag Archives: Epilepsy

Epilepsy strengthens student’s resolve to pursue his dreams

October 22, 2026

By Deron Hamel

Adam Lin says living with epilepsy has made him more “resilient and determined” in pursuing his ambitions, including his goal of becoming a video game developer.

The Ottawa student says epilepsy has presented challenges throughout his educational journey, with unexpected seizures and medical appointments sometimes affecting his confidence and making it more difficult to keep up academically.

However, he says these challenges have also taught him to adapt, stay organized and persevere. In fact, Adam says epilepsy has been a source of “motivation” for him.

Adam is one of four recipients of a $1,500 Epilepsy Ontario scholarship sponsored by Waymo, which will help cover the cost of tuition, textbooks, software and other resources as he pursues his computer science studies. Adam says the funding will ease the financial burden of his education, allowing him to devote more time to developing his programming and game design skills while continuing to advocate for epilepsy awareness.

He says a career as a video game developer would combine his interests in creativity and technology, while also giving him an opportunity to make gaming more inclusive – something, he says, is important to him.

“I am especially interested in developing games that promote accessibility and inclusivity so that people of all abilities can enjoy them,” Adam tells Voices of Epilepsy.

“My goal is to build a career that combines technology, creativity and advocacy, using my education not only to create impactful games but also to inspire greater understanding and inclusion for people living with epilepsy.”

Beyond his career ambitions, Adam says he also hopes to use his experience living with epilepsy to educate others about the condition and challenge common misconceptions.

He says it’s important to him to share accurate information about epilepsy, help others learn seizure first aid and encourage conversations that reduce the stigma surrounding epilepsy.

Adam says he hopes that sharing his experiences and providing accurate information will help dispel misconceptions about epilepsy and make it easier for people living with the condition to feel understood and supported.

“I believe that greater awareness leads to greater understanding, making schools and communities more supportive for people living with epilepsy,” he says.

Reflecting on what he would tell his younger self, Adam says asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness, and he encourages others living with a seizure disorder to keep pursuing their goals despite setbacks.

“You may not always feel in control of your condition, but you will always have the power to choose how you respond to it,” he says.

Epilepsy Ontario would like to extend a sincere thank-you to Waymo for sponsoring our scholarships for the first time this year. Through Waymo’s generous support, four Ontario students living with epilepsy were each awarded a $1,500 scholarship to support their post-secondary education. We are grateful to Waymo for helping make these opportunities possible and for supporting students living with epilepsy across Ontario.

Student determined to turn epilepsy experience into helping others

September 21, 2026

By Deron Hamel

Mallory McDonald describes two parts of her life: the part before June 21, 2023, and the part after.

It was on that date that Mallory was diagnosed with epilepsy. At the time, she was in her last semester of a social services diploma program, and she had started experiencing seizures in class and at work.

“It was terrifying waking up in an ambulance, not knowing what happened, where I was, or who I was with,” she tells Voices of Epilepsy. “I began to worry about how others would see me and whether I could still pursue the career I had worked so hard for.”

Following her diagnosis, Mallory says she had to learn how to manage her condition while continuing her education. This meant adjusting to her medication, going to doctor appointments and living with the uncertainty of when she would have her next seizure.

“I struggled with anxiety and depression as I accepted how much my life had changed, especially when I was close to getting my (driver’s) licence back,” she says.

“There were days when I questioned whether I could continue, but I refused to let epilepsy take away my future.”

Mallory took control of her condition and would go on to complete her diploma. Each hurdle she has faced because of her epilepsy, she says, has provided her with “strength and resilience.”

“Living with epilepsy has shown me invisible challenges and strengthened (my) compassion to support others,” Mallory says. “Although epilepsy is part of my story, it does not define me. It has inspired me to persevere, advocate for others, and pursue a career dedicated to helping people.”

Today, Mallory is studying criminology at Trent University. She is also one of four recipients of a $1,500 Epilepsy Ontario scholarship, which is sponsored by Waymo.

Mallory says she wants to use her education to help others. After she completes her degree, Mallory has her sights set on becoming a 9-1-1 operator.

“I want to help people during some of the most difficult moments of their lives by providing calm, compassionate and effective support,” she says.

“My experience with epilepsy has strengthened my empathy, communication skills and determination through challenging situations.”

Mallory adds that living with epilepsy has given her an interest in educating people to help reduce the stigma surrounding epilepsy.
She says she wants to share her experience of living with epilepsy, provide accurate information and encourage conversations.

“I want people living with epilepsy to feel understood and supported rather than embarrassed or alone,” she says.

If she had the opportunity to speak to her younger self, Mallory says she would explain that she was going to experience something she never could have prepared for – but that she would also get through it.

“I would tell her not to blame herself or wonder why this happened to her,” Mallory says. “She is still the same person she was before epilepsy.”

Epilepsy Ontario would like to extend a sincere thank-you to Waymo for sponsoring our scholarships for the first time this year. Through Waymo’s generous support, four Ontario students living with epilepsy were each awarded a $1,500 scholarship to support their post-secondary education. We are grateful to Waymo for helping make these opportunities possible and for supporting students living with epilepsy across Ontario.

Hidden, not rare: Why Alex Johnson is using a sweater to raise epilepsy awareness

March 26, 2026

By Deron Hamel

For Alex Johnson, the phrase “Epilepsy: Hidden, Not Rare” resonated with him when he saw it printed across a sweater at the Epilepsy Shop, Epilepsy Ontario’s online store.

Alex, who is living with epilepsy, says he felt a personal connection with the message, which prompted him to buy the sweater.

“The message reminded me that lots of people couldn’t see (my epilepsy), but I knew it existed,” Alex tells Voices of Epilepsy. “This was a message that really caught me.”

There were shirts and sweaters with other messages, but Alex says that one stood out most for him.

“It was a message that people needed to see and understand; it’s a message that should be reaching the public,” he says. “It’s not necessarily me saying something about myself, but it is something I am saying to the public.”

The Epilepsy Shop was launched in 2020 and sells an array of colourful T-shirts and hoodies embossed with campaign names to help support local epilepsy agencies and raise awareness of seizure disorders.

Customers can find regular T-shirts, women’s cut T-shirts or hoodies in a variety of colours and sizes. Every item is created on demand to eliminate waste, and all profits support epilepsy services and programs.

Alex says he would like to see more apparel with messaging directed at the public at large, which he believes would be a helpful way to increase epilepsy awareness.

He suggests that adding phrases like “There are Many Different Types of Seizures” or “One in 100” – a reference to the number of Canadian adults estimated to be living with epilepsy – would further educate the public.

This sort of messaging, Alex adds, is prominent on social media or in pamphlets during March – Epilepsy Awareness Month – but not throughout the rest of the year.

“The other 11 months of the year, nobody will know, nobody will see it on social media, but there is an opportunity to (send these messages) with shirts,” he says.

Click here to visit the Epilepsy Shop.

Student using epilepsy experience to fuel advocacy and research

January 9, 2026

By Deron Hamel

Vivienne Le says that if she could speak to her younger self, the first thing she would tell herself is that having epilepsy will not make her “less capable” or “less worthy.”

The student from Ottawa, who is studying health sciences at Queen’s University, says when she was younger she felt “frustrated and alone,” and wanted to blend in with her peers without constantly having to worry about having a seizure or hiding her condition.

Looking back, Vivienne says the things about epilepsy that frightened her when she was young now give her strength.

“I would tell (my younger self) not to be afraid to speak openly about her experiences because sharing her story will connect her to others and help combat the stigma that once caused her pain,” Vivienne says.

“(I would tell her that) one day, she will use her voice and her lived experience to make a difference through volunteering, advocacy and even contributing to epilepsy research. Most importantly, I would tell her that epilepsy will shape her, but it will not define her limits. She will go to university, chase big dreams and prove to herself that she is more than her diagnosis.”

Vivienne says her experiences with epilepsy have shaped her outlook and helped her navigate her career path. Once she completes university, she plans to attend medical school and become a doctor specializing in neurology. She says she wants to contribute to research and health-care initiatives aimed at improving quality of life for people living with epilepsy.

“Growing up with epilepsy has given me both a personal connection and a sense of purpose in this field,” she says. “I want to combine clinical care with research to improve treatments, reduce stigma and advocate for those living with neurological conditions.”

Vivienne’s passion in this area has already led her to get involved in epilepsy research at BC Children’s Hospital and the Centre hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal, where she has contributed to projects, including an analysis of epilepsy surgery outcomes.

Vivienne says epilepsy has motivated her to strive for achievements outside of academics, adding she recently created Viv in Purple, a social media platform to share her story of living with epilepsy and creating a space for others to share their experiences.

“The messages I have received from people who found hope through my posts remind me why I am committed to advocacy,” Vivienne says.

“Ultimately, living with epilepsy has not limited me. It has given me purpose and shaped my determination to turn personal challenges into opportunities to help others, whether through research, health care or advocacy.”

Vivienne is one of four recipients of Epilepsy Ontario’s 2025 scholarship. For more than 15 years, the organization has been providing scholarships to exceptional students who have confronted and overcome remarkable barriers in their academic and personal lives due to epilepsy.

“This $1,500 scholarship will help cover tuition and research-related expenses, allowing me to dedicate more time to my advocacy work and academic goals,” Vivienne says. “By combining my lived experience, academic background, and community involvement, I hope to create a more compassionate and supportive environment for people with epilepsy.”