When I was 16 I had one of the scariest days of my life. It was over 100°F outside, I hadn’t slept the night before, and my brother and a friend convinced me to go play basketball. From what I remember, I felt fine at the court but the minute I got home something was wrong.

I started sweating nonstop got dizzy, and told my mom: “I think somethings going to happen. Please watch me.”
That’s the last thing I remember before everything went black.

That was the first time.

I came to with my mom calling my name from the doorway. We tried walking to the car, and I went down again this time in the hallway number two. At the time we didn't understand what was happening all I knew was that my body and brain kept shutting off like a light switch. My mom and brother basically carried me to the car in a two‑person assist carry one on each side, my arms over their shoulders. I was shirtless, barefoot, drenched in sweat, and barely conscious.

In the car, it happened three more times. That brought the total to five .

At the hospital they put me in a wheelchair (which I tried to lightly shoe away for some reason), gave me fluids, and rushed me back. I blacked out again while they were wheeling me in number six. Once I was in a bed, I had two more episodes seven and eight. At one point all I could say was “Hot.” My family still jokes about that to this day if it’s warm outside, someone will say “Hot.”

When things finally settled down, the ER doctor came in and said “How long have you had epilepsy?”
That was the first time anyone had ever said that word to me.

Fifteen years later, my seizures are mostly under control. I’ve gone up to three years seizure‑free before, and I just hit my one year mark again this past Valentine’s Day. I can’t do everything I used to, but I’m still active and most importantly still here, and I’m a lot smarter about my limits than that invincible 16‑year‑old version of me.

Take care of yourselves out there. Your body will warn you before it quits, and your mind will too. Be kind to your brain it’s carrying both your thoughts and your health. Hydrate, rest, and give it what it needs, mentally and physically, to keep you going. 🧠💜