Good morning/afternoon everyone. Thank you for being here today. I want to share my personal story with you—one that’s shaped who I am and how I live my life. For a long time, I felt like I had to hide in the shadows. Life threw difficult challenges at me, and instead of facing them, I thought the best thing I could do was to stay quiet, keep my head down, and avoid being seen. I believed that hiding was the easiest way to survive, but I’ve learned that you can’t grow when you’re always in hiding.
One of the biggest challenges I faced was being diagnosed with epilepsy. When I first found out, I didn’t know how to feel. It was like life had flipped upside down, and suddenly, I had to live with this condition that I didn’t ask for and didn’t understand. Seizures were terrifying. They were unpredictable, and I lived in fear of when the next one would happen. It was like carrying a weight on my shoulders, constantly worrying, constantly trying to stay out of the way so no one would see me struggling. I felt embarrassed, isolated, and different from everyone else.
On top of that, people didn’t always understand what epilepsy really was. There were stares, whispers, and sometimes people made assumptions. It felt like the world around me was moving forward, and I was stuck, afraid to speak up or let people know what I was going through. It was as if I was living someone else’s life, letting epilepsy decide what I could and couldn’t do.
But one thing I’ve learned is that hiding from your problems never makes them go away. In fact, it just gives them more power over you. It wasn’t until I reached a breaking point that I realized living in the shadows wasn’t protecting me—it was limiting me. I wasn’t really living; I was just surviving, and I didn’t want to survive anymore—I wanted to thrive. I wanted to live my life on my own terms.
So, I made a decision. I stopped running from my epilepsy and, instead, decided to face it. I stood tall, accepted it as part of my life, and took control. That was the turning point for me. I learned that epilepsy is something I have, but it doesn’t control who I am. It doesn’t define me or what I’m capable of achieving. Yes, it’s there, but I’m the one in charge of my life.
I started to speak up more, not just to myself but to others. I talked about my epilepsy, shared my experiences, and learned that there is strength in being open about your struggles. I began to take back control of my own story. Instead of letting epilepsy dictate what I could and couldn’t do, I made the choice to decide for myself. I set goals, I followed my passions, and I refused to let anyone, or anything, tell me I wasn’t capable. Because I know now that I am capable. We all are.
I won’t pretend that every day is easy. There are still tough moments, but the difference is that now I face them head-on. I don’t let them push me into the shadows anymore. I’ve realized that challenges are a part of life, whether it’s epilepsy, bullying, or any other obstacle. We all face difficulties. But what matters most is how we respond. Do we let them take control, or do we take control of them?
When I made the choice to accept epilepsy and live with it, rather than live in fear of it, something amazing happened. I became stronger. I found my voice. I realized that I can still live the life I want, even with epilepsy. And that’s what I want to share with you today: the idea that no matter what you’re going through, no matter what obstacles life puts in your way, you are in control of your life. You can choose how to respond to challenges. You can choose to stand tall and face them, instead of hiding from them.
Looking back, I’m proud of the journey I’ve been on. I used to feel ashamed of having epilepsy, like it was something to be hidden or ignored. But now, I embrace it as part of who I am. It’s taught me resilience, it’s given me a new perspective on life, and it’s made me realize that I’m stronger than I ever thought possible.
I hope that by sharing my story, I can inspire others who might feel like they’re living in the shadows. You don’t have to stay there. You have the power to take control of your life. You have the power to stand tall, to be proud of who you are, and to live the life you choose. And no one can take that away from you.
Thank you for listening, and remember, no matter what life throws at you, you are the one in control. Stand tall, take pride in your story, and never let anyone—or anything—dim your light.
