My Epilepsy Story

Archive for Brandy McFadden

21 Jun
0

Happy Father’s Day

I read this saying last week and thought I would share it with you on Father’s Day. “The GREATEST thing a Father can do for his children is to LOVE…

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19 Jun
0

Time, Where have you gone?

Where has the time gone???? My baby has now turned 6! Life gets busy and time passes so quickly. We think that we will have time to treasure every moment…

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22 May
0

Don’t be a “Yes-Man”…. Advocate

As I sit and reflect on things that I have heard from parents and the things happening in society I am reminded of what my role is as an ADVOCATE….

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10 May
0

This isn’t what I would have chosen

As Mother’s Day is here, I have thought about what Mother’s Day means to me personally. For me at times, it has been hard to juggle three little children especially…

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11 Mar
0

Silence

When the whole world is silent, even one voice becomes powerful. ~Malala Yousafzai In this world we don’t always see the reason why things happen. I often find myself thinking…

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Dr Jim McAuley
02 Dec
0

Looking Forward with Dr. Jim McAuley of Ohio State University

Hello and let me introduce myself. My name is Dr. Jim McAuley and I am the Clinical Pharmacist in our Multidisciplinary Epilepsy Clinic and a consultant to our High-Risk OB…

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18 Nov
0

Struggle

Fall has set in and winter is approaching quickly…. I have not written in quite some time. I have been asked, “When are you going to write again? I am…

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02 Oct
0

The Wall Street Journal

We have EXCITING news to announce…. We were featured in The Wall Street Journal this week. Dr. David Loring’s PCORI Funded project, COPE, that follows children that are newly diagnosed…

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25 Sep
0

Are You A Force To Be Reckoned With?

Today is a beautiful Fall day here in Nashville. As, the leaves are beginning to change and my windows are open so that I can feel the beautiful Fall winds…

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17 Sep
0

Can You Help Us Make A Difference?

The past few months have been so busy. School has started for the children, and my husband is back to work nonstop as the Headmaster at the school where Samuel…

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06 Aug
0

Are We Really Educating Our Children?

This week was the start of school for my three young children. The “rat race” has begun here in Tennessee, like so many other places across the country. As we…

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15 Jul
0

Amor Vincit Omnia

“Amor Vincit Omnia” in latin means Love Conquers All….. In my life, love has conquered all. On July 6, 2014 I married the love of my life. Our love story…

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10 May
0

Mother’s Day 2014

As we approach Mother’s Day this Sunday, I have been pondering what I should write for this blog post. In fact, I have rewritten this post several times only to…

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01 May
0

Relationships….

Over the last few years I have focused on others quite a bit. I have had friends and my board members constantly reminding me to slow down, breathe, and focus…

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28 Apr
0

Missed Opportunities

I sit here in Nashville on this rainy day to share with you some of my thoughts that have been circling around in my mind. A few weeks ago I…

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14 Feb
0

Upcoming Grand Rounds

As part of our educational program at My Epilepsy Story, we are educating the medical community about the patient perspective of epilepsy. In accomplishing this integral part of our educational…

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lightning
05 Feb
0

Is it REALLY worth the pain and heartache?

Adversity is the mother of progress. ~Mahatma Gandhi In life we face challenges that can be EXTREMELY hard. We have to sit down and decide if it is worth the…

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MES-Podcast-Artwork-300
17 Jan
0

MES002 – Brandy Interviews Dr. Meador with the MONEAD Research Study

Today, Brandy Parker interviews Dr. Kimford Meador with the MONEAD Research Study. Most Women with epilepsy have normal pregnancies, but appear to be at risk for problems during pregnancy and…

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Brandy Parker
16 Jan
1

Strength, Courage and Tears…

Over the last few years people have been saying over and over to me, “Brandy you are so strong!” “We don’t see how you do everything that you are doing.”…

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02 Jan
0

Keep Walking

“The world is looking back on a year that was, but what matters is what’s in front of you. KEEP WALKING.” I read this quote in The New York Times…

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MES-Podcast-Artwork-300
28 Nov
0

MES001: Announcing the First My Epilepsy Story Podcast!

We are very excited to announce the very first episode of the new My Epilepsy Story podcast! WE ARE advocating, researching, and educating women and children living with epilepsy. We…

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Samuel in Math Class
22 Nov
0

Our New Journey

As we begin to prepare for the Thanksgiving season I wanted to share with everyone some things that are on the horizon and that I am thankful for. Our story…

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13 Nov
0

“Retarded or World Changer? You Decide……”

I have spent the last few days recovering from my trip to the American Epilepsy Society Annual Meeting.  This year it was held in San Diego.   I was gone…

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Visiting family in Louisiana
07 Nov
0

The Road Not Taken

Tonight as I sit here thinking of this past week and the week ahead I am filled with mixed emotions. My long weekend started in my home state of Louisiana….

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vol state and my epilepsy story
31 Oct
0

Vol State Student Warns of the Impact of Epilepsy Medication During Pregnancy

The following is a press release from Volunteer State Community College about an upcoming speaking engagement with Brandy McFadden and My Epilepsy Story. Brandy McFadden could see that her son…

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redleaves
30 Oct
0

I wish things were the way they used to be.

Someone recently said to me that they “wished things would go back to the way it used to be”. This made me ponder on the things of my past….I have…

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14 Oct
0

Full Plate

Life has been so busy here. I have so many things to update everyone on. We have had two wonderful benefits for the organization since I last blogged. One was…

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myepbenefitATL
10 Sep
0

My Epilepsy Story Charity Event In Atlanta

Visit us in Atlanta at the Hard Rock Cafe for another excited My Epilepsy Story Charity Event. Special guests include Jake Head, PSDREX and The Economy. September 20, 2013 from…

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05 Sep
0

Photos from July 27, 2013 Hard Rock Event

We greatly enjoyed our second evening raising money for My Epilepsy Story at the Hard Rock Cafe in Nashville, TN. It was a night full of music, fun, laughter and…

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Marshalyn Yeargin-Allsopp
05 Sep
0

Children with Epilepsy and Other Developmental Disabilities

In 1979, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) was presented with a question: How many children have a developmental disability? Knowing more about the number and characteristics of…

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Hard Rock Cafe July Benefit
19 Jul
0

July 27, 2013 My Epilepsy Story Benefit at the Hard Rock Cafe in Nashville

You are invited to the My Epilepsy Story Benefit at the Hard Rock Cafe in Nashville, TN on July 27, 2013 at 7pm. It will be a LOUISIANA SATURDAY NIGHT…

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14 Jun
0

My Epilepsy Story Fundraiser at the Hard Rock Cafe In Nashville

We are excited to partner with Astar Promotions for event fundraising to help achieve our goals. Astar Promotions has offices in Nashville, TN; Chicago, IL; and Wisconsin and work closely…

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29 May
0

A Story of Pregnancy and Epilepsy

She was young, beautiful, and newly married. I was the third doctor she saw, because she did not want to hear what the other neurologists had told her. The first…

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08 May
0

Pregnancy and Epilepsy

Women with epilepsy, who are childbearing potential, and their physicians face difficult decisions about the risks and benefits of antiepileptic drug (AED) use during pregnancy. These decisions need to be…

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06 May
0

A Hundred Reasons To Cry or A Thousand Reasons To Smile

When life gives you a hundred reasons to cry, show life that you have a thousand reasons to smile. ~Author Unknown I read this quote several months ago and was…

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29 Apr
0

Full Circle

I have been waiting for the right time to share with everyone about a new board member for the organization. We are blessed here at My Epilepsy Story to add…

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19 Apr
0

Busy Times

Life has been extremely busy over the past few weeks! Samuel has begun taking OT and PT at a new therapy center closer to our home. The therapists have been…

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11 Apr
0

Stand Up For Epilepsy With One Voice

Epilepsy affects the lives of millions of people of all ages around the world. It is an unpredictable and potentially devastating group of diseases that can cause seizures, brain injury,…

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Spring Deer
10 Apr
0

Spring Has Arrived

Spring is here, and I love it! As I sit here this evening, I am reflecting on Spring and the beauty that is beginning to bloom. I went for a…

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MES-Podcast-Artwork-300
02 Apr
0

The My Epilepsy Story Podcast is coming!

Fun things are happening at My Epilepsy Story, and today I wanted to tell you about a new epilepsy education resource we will be launching in May (possibly sooner). The…

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27 Mar
0

Grace’s Story

Often, I feature stories from one of my readers who has been affected by epilepsy. Learn how you can share your story. [framed_box] Grace’s Story: In June 2008, my 10-year…

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26 Mar
0

Epilepsy Facts

1 in 10 people will have a seizure. 1 in 26 people will develop epilepsy. About 50,000 people die each year from epilepsy. This is one of the things that…

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20 Mar
0

Epilepsy Fears

About two weeks ago on our Facebook page, I asked “What is the one thing you wished people knew about epilepsy?”. I received a lot of great responses to this…

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18 Mar
0

Heartache and Joy

Well the weekend is ending and a new week is ahead of us. As I reflect on all the things that need to be done I am tired yet I…

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10 Mar
0

We need to EDUCATE and ADVOCATE!

As I reflect on my weekend this evening I have mixed emotions. I took my daughter, Hannah Kate, to a Vanderbilt basketball game with a friend on Saturday afternoon. We…

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03 Mar
0

What Mountain Are You Climbing?

In life, we have to make choices that are not easy. We can choose to sit in our “place of sorrow” or choose to climb out of it. Not that…

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25 Feb
0

What Do You DREAM?

This evening as I sit here and prepare for my week ahead the word DREAM comes to mind…..You see, dreams do come true when we pursue them. [blockquote cite=”Henry David…

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23 Feb
0

What Do You Dare To BELIEVE?

[blockquote cite=”Albert Einstein”]It is better to believe than to disbelieve; in doing you bring everything to the realm of possibility.[/blockquote] I was reminded of this quote today. I loved it…

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20 Feb
0

Sara’s Story

Often, I feature stories from one of my readers who has been affected by epilepsy. Learn how you can share your story. [framed_box] Sara’s Story: Hello, My name is Sara…

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exciting news
14 Feb
0

Exciting News!

Tonight I finally decided to sit down and write about the EXCITING things that are going on with the organization. We just filed our paperwork for the State of Tennessee…

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10 Feb
0

Painful Place or Blossom? You Decide…

“AND THE DAY CAME WHEN THE RISK TO REMAIN TIGHT IN A BUD WAS MORE PAINFUL THAN THE RISK IT TOOK TO BLOSSOM.” ~Anais Nin I came across this on…

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10 Feb
0

Olivia’s Story

Often, I feature stories from one of my readers who has been affected by epilepsy. Learn how you can share your story. [framed_box] Shannon writes: In 2009, my husband, Mike…

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holdhands
05 Feb
0

What’s Your Reason To Be Brave?

What’s your reason to be BRAVE? My reason to be BRAVE is for everyone that lives with or is affected by neurological disorders. I do not understand the complexities of…

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05 Feb
0

Addison’s Story

Often, I feature stories from one of my readers who has been affected by epilepsy. Learn how you can share your story. [framed_box] She writes: We knew febrile seizures were…

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Autism and Epilepsy
01 Feb
0

AUTISM and EPILEPSY

I sit here this evening beginning to blog, my mind is full of words, yet my soul is full of so many emotions that I don’t know which one to…

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30 Jan
0

Heidi’s Story

Often, I feature stories from one of my readers who has been affected by epilepsy. Learn how you can share your story. [framed_box] Heidi writes: Hi, my name is Heidi….

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Dr Kimford Meador and Brandy Parker
29 Jan
0

Atlanta and the CDC

Well I have arrived home from Atlanta and had a couple of days to recoup from my trip. For those of you that didn’t know, I went to Atlanta to…

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25 Jan
0

Scarlett’s Story

Often, I feature stories from one of my readers who has been affected by epilepsy. Learn how you can share your story. [framed_box] She writes: Scarlett was born June 19th,…

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22 Jan
0

Anchor……

Today I spent the day working on a brochure for the My Epilepsy Story. I was excited and frustrated all at the same time. I must say that I am…

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ponder
20 Jan
0

Which Path Do I Take?

Which path do I take? Have you ever been in a situation where you are trying to decide which way to go? Do I take this job? Do I move?…

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20 Jan
0

Carolina’s Story

Often, I feature stories from one of my readers who has been affected by epilepsy. Learn how you can share your story. [framed_box] Eric writes: On August 22, 2011 Carolina…

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brave
08 Jan
0

If You Were Brave……

Recently I had written about Janie Wells , an author who has written the book “Payment for Passage“. I have read and reread this book many times over the past…

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28 Dec
0

Goodbye Horrible, Hello Wonderful…..

Well as I sit and reflect on 2012, I am full of emotions….I have experienced the best and worst times……I found my calling and that is to share about living…

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18 Dec
2

Justice……

The past few days have been hard as I reflect on the tragic loss in Newtown, Ct. I have held my three children closer these past few days. When Hannah…

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10 Nov
0

Long Days……

As I reflect on the last few months of my life, I am thinking of how long the days have become. Is it really longer or is the fact that…

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04 Nov
0

Hello November……

Well November is Epilepsy Awareness Month.  As I sit here on this Sunday afternoon preparing for my trip to Atlanta to meet with some doctors at Emory, I am thinking…

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Harper-Story
31 Oct
0

Harper’s Story

Each month I feature a story from one of my readers who has been affected by epilepsy. Learn how you can share your story. [framed_box] Harper writes: [image title=”Harper’s Story”…

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29 Oct
0

Meaning of LOVE……

I decided to look up the definition of “love” today….. 1. a profoundly tender, passionate affection for another person.2. a feeling of warm personal attachment or deep affection, as a…

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20 Oct
0

Chelsea’s Story

Each month I feature a story from one of my readers who has been affected by epilepsy. Learn how you can share your story. [framed_box] She writes: Chelsea was born…

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15 Oct
0

Quiet Noise…..

I spent this past weekend away trying to escape from the reality of life.  It is funny how when you go to find a quiet place to retreat to, that…

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05 Oct
0

The Race

I ran my first 5k this year with my best friend.  As I was running the race, I started out strong with all these people surrounding me looking fresh and…

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05 Oct
0

Gianna’s Story

Each month I feature a story from one of my readers who has been affected by epilepsy. Learn how you can share your story. [framed_box] She writes: [image align=”left” size=”small”]https://myepilepsystory.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/giannastory.jpg[/image]On…

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02 Oct
0

Gatewood’s Story

Each month I feature a story from one of my readers who has been affected by epilepsy. Learn how you can share your story. [framed_box] She writes: My memories until…

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05 Sep
0

Monica’s Story

Each month I feature a story from one of my readers who has been affected by epilepsy. Learn how you can share your story. [framed_box] She writes: [image source_type=”attachment_id” source_value=”241″…

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06 Aug
0

Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans…..

This quote from John Lennon, “Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans.” has really hit home lately.   I am a planner by nature, however…

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05 Aug
0

Amanda’s Story

Each month I feature a story from one of my readers who has been affected by epilepsy. Learn how you can share your story. [framed_box] She writes: Amanda was born…

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28 Jul
1

Decisions…….

In life we make choices…..some turn out to be the worst decision and others turn out to be the best thing that has ever happened to us.  As I sit…

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05 Jul
0

Meg’s Story

Each month I feature a story from one of my readers who has been affected by epilepsy. Learn how you can share your story. [framed_box] She writes: It was March…

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30 Jun
0

Enjoying the moment….

This has been a very stressful week personally.  As I sit here this evening, I am enjoying the moments that I have had with my three beautiful children.  I hear…

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21 Jun
0

What is it like to be you?

This evening I watched the movie, The Help, and LOVED it!  It has the song from Mary J. Blige, The Living Proof, which I also love…. As I watched the movie…

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19 Jun
0

My baby is gone……..

[image source_type=”attachment_id” source_value=”326″ align=”left” size=”medium” autoHeight=”true”] I haven’t blogged about my youngest before so I wanted to share about him.  David just turned three today and I am amazed at…

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18 Jun
0

ANSWERS………………

Hold on and be patient!  The answers are not always right in front of us……We live in a right now day and age.  We want everything instantly!  We are always…

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06 Jun
0

Are You A Leader?

What is a leader?  Who in your life do you consider a leader?  One definition of leader is a person who rules, guides, or inspires others.  As I looked this…

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05 Jun
0

Kathryn’s Story

Each month I feature a story from one of my readers who has been affected by epilepsy. Learn how you can share your story. [framed_box] I was just finished my…

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04 Jun
0

Time to focus….

Well I am making my list of things to get done…..Time to start picking back up on the My Epilepsy Story organization.  I have had a lot going on personally…

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03 Jun
0

Anger

I decided to look up the definition of anger today……one definition was : A strong feeling of displeasure, resentment, or hostility. I have been reading a wonderful book and the…

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01 Jun
0

Through My Daughter’s Eyes……

I blog a lot about my son Samuel so I thought I would share about my precious little girl, Hannah Kate…..You see this beautiful little girl is almost 5 years…

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24 May
1

Limbo….

Don’t you just hate being in limbo?  What does that actually mean, you might ask…..well one definition is prolonged uncertainty.  I hate the uncertainty of things!  When you think you…

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16 May
0

Who’s Your Hero?

I looked up the definition of a hero this evening.  The definition was, “a man of distinguished courage or ability, admired for his brave deeds and noble qualities.”  As I…

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14 May
1

When Will This Storm End?

When will this storm end….This past week has been a horrible storm for our family.  I watch myself walk to the left and there is a storm.  I move to…

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13 May
0

Mother’s Day

Well today is Mother’s Day and I find myself reflecting on what type of mother I am.  I often wonder if my children will sit around when they are older…

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08 May
0

Embrace Where You Are…..

Last week Samuel told the priest all about the “dry, large intestines” while he was about to receive communion.  As I was kneeling next to him, all I could do…

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18 Apr
0

Busy times…

Life has been extremely busy this past month.  As I sit and think of all the new things happening in my life I am overwhelmed…. Samuel has done AMAZING at…

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11 Mar
0

Holding on too tight…..

I have arrived in Atlanta this evening for some meetings with doctors at Emory University and to meet with some people from the Center for Disease Control (CDC).  I am…

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28 Feb
0

Tears through the testing….

 Well today Samuel started his first day of school at the private school here in town.  He did a great job and went the whole day.  The teacher seems very…

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28 Feb
0

Tears through the test results…..

Well today has been a day of new beginnings in our home.  Samuel started his first day at school and did a great job.  The teacher was wonderful with him…

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12 Feb
2

Testing….

Well we arrived in Boston on Friday evening.  I am so fortunate to have my best friend accompany me with her son on this trip.  It has been great to…

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11 Feb
0

Day 1 in Boston…..

We had a great visit today with Dr. Bauman from the Ladders

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10 Feb
0

Boston Bound……

Well we are headed to Boston to be a part of a research project on children that were exposed to valproate in utero.  I am excited to have Samuel participate…

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22 Jan
0

Taking Chances and Trusting……..

I had to take some time before I wrote this blog but here it is……. As we walk on this journey with Samuel it can be very exciting, rewarding, confusing,…

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Disclaimer: Education materials on our website offer general medical information based on up-to-date evidence and, when available, practice guidelines. They are not intended for individual medical advice. Please refer to your treating physician to understand how this information may be applied to your care.

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We are an International, non-profit organization that serves to bridge the gap for women and girls diagnosed with epilepsy.

Stay Updated

Receive valuable content and personal stories from other women and girls just like yourself.

Disclaimer: Education materials on our website offer general medical information based on up-to-date evidence and, when available, practice guidelines. They are not intended for individual medical advice. Please refer to your treating physician to understand how this information may be applied to your care.

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