WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) – Epilepsy affects more than 3 million people and their families in the U.S., according to the Epilepsy Foundation of Missouri and Kansas. In Kansas, over 60,000 people live with Epilepsy and in Wichita, it’s about 14,000 people.
Living with epilepsy can be challenging at any age, and every person’s diagnosis is unique. Understanding the condition and how to offer help to those struggling is key to making their life a little better.
The executive director of the Epilepsy Foundation of Missouri and Kansas says people with this condition must have a constant awareness of triggers and ongoing treatments. So, more education and raising awareness are needed, saying there are more people than we know who have this disorder.
“I think the more information that’s out there, the more people that are talking about it. It makes it easier for those with epilepsy to talk about it and not feel so alone and start to break that stigma,” said Christy Polk, Executive Director of the Epilepsy Foundation of Missouri and Kansas. “It’s a scary situation, and I recommend reaching out to our organization. We can provide you with resources and also connect you with others that are encountering those same challenges.”
She also says that epilepsy is an electrical discharge to the brain that causes seizures. Some causes could include genetic disposition or brain injuries, but sometimes, she says, the cause is unknown.
Local teen Kayden Cooper says he is thriving today despite all odds. He says every day is a unique challenge.
“I wish people knew, like, how complex it is,” said Cooper.
Cooper was diagnosed at the age of four after his parents struggled with his neurological health. What followed was a series of treatments and technology called VNS, vagus nerve stimulation, that helped him stay clinically controlled with seizures.
“Before I had it, I couldn’t make it through it in school, but now with it, I’m able to stay in school most days, able to do a lot more stuff,” said Cooper.
He is now able to do things like driving. Cooper says he couldn’t have done it without his family’s constant support and love.
“They helped me realize that I can still get involved in stuff even though I can’t do a lot of the normal stuff,” he added.
Cooper also says understanding and offering support can go a long way to reducing stigma and fear related to the diagnosis.
“Like what my dad said, Don’t let it limit yourself. Instead of focusing on what you can’t do. Focus on what you can do,” said Cooper.
And in the future, he says he is excited.
“I want to go to college for, like, computer programing or computer science and help with, like, the coding part of the medical devices. So I can do stuff I’m interested in and still help people,” said Cooper.
The foundation has many programs, from education to seizure first aid to advocacy and support groups for teens and adults. You can visit the foundation’s website to find out more on resources and help available.