I blogged about Kaitlyn, 25, a week ago, but I’m doing it again because this young woman will change the world in her own way. Kaitlyn went on the Kathie Lee and Hoda segment of the Today show yesterday and confidently told the world about the misconceptions of epilepsy, something she has battled since she was a kid. She did it on national TV, and she looked like a professional speaker. Her 9-minute segment is here.
The information she imparted is important to everyone. Kaityln was diagnosed with epilepsy after a head injury, and she did not exhibit traditional symptoms of seizures. After she told her story, Kaitlyn’s Facebook page and cell phone lit up with comments and text messages from people all over the country, and so did the blog I wrote last week.
Congratulations to Kaitlyn and her mom. In about nine minutes, these Fairview women helped the audience understand this condition, and they made Erie proud. Kaitlyn is headed for great things. Here are just a few of the emotional comments from grateful viewers that were posted on last week’s blog:
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Ann says:
Mom of a daughter with Epilepsy diagnosed summer before her senior yr of high school. Similar story but she had myoclonic tics before her grand mal and fell onto her head at 8 mths old. Yes, thankful for medication and she is 18 and a sophomore in college 300 miles away. Wondering which medication you are using Kaitlyn and do you use any vitamins?
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valerie sargent says:
Kaitlyn, just watched you on today show…OMG, you would not believe how much we have in common. I am now 50 years old and was diagnosed in 2000 with epilepsy, due to, so my neurologist says a severe auto accident in 1977. The right side of my head was completely crushed with 3 pieces of bone pressing against my brain. The dr.s removed the bone and wired them together to reform my skull. I was fine till 98 when I had my first “blackout” Yada yada. I have lost my last 2 jobs due to sick days when I was in my “zone” totally out of it. But here I am. Keep up your good work with the foundation, and best of luck to you! Love ya lots! Valerie
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Rebecca Banks says:
Thank you for sharing your story. I have an 8 year old daughter diagnosed with Absent Seizures. To see you living an active life as a beautiful young lady, makes me smile. Watching you on the Today show, gives me a positive outlook on my daughter’s future. Thank you, Rebecca Banks
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Theaudrey Roberts says:
Hi Kaitlyn,
I saw your segment on the Today Show and I wanted to cry, not out of pity, but out of relief because I felt like finally their was someone that understood how I felt. I had never had seizures in my life until I turned 32yrs. old and without warning collapsed in the floor. I was told that I had some type of seizure disorder, but the doctors in my town were not sure type and it took me going to a doctor that specialized in epilepsy in a bigger city with more advanced technology to diagnose me with frontal lobe epilepsy. I was told that I pre-exposed because my dad has epilepsy and it runs in his family. I’m now 40 yrs. old and my friends and even family still quite don’t understand why I can’t drive, why I can’t go to clubs and parties or places with bright lights, why flashing images on movies bother me or even sometimes causes me to have a seizure, why I get depressed at times because after going on dates a few times and the subject has to be brought up and the guy suddenly doesn’t want to see me again, or how if I get really stressed out or why I can’t remember things sometimes as simple as doing math or spelling that I learned before going to school as a child. When I saw you and heard your story I didn’t feel so alone. Thank you!!



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