Jessica, 38, has had to overcome a lot of obstacles since she first began having seizures 10 years ago. Initially, she was misdiagnosed as having panic attacks. She also experienced feelings of depression and isolation, as well as a severe car accident that she feels lucky to have survived. Fortunately, with the help of her… Read more

Giselle, 19, is majoring in Special Education and Psychology at Harper College. The Chicagoland native has a special connection to the Epilepsy Foundation of Greater Chicago. She attended Camp Blackhawk each summer from 2014-2019 and last week she was a counselor at this year’s Virtual Camp Blackhawk. “As a counselor, it’s been great to see… Read more

This month’s Face of the Foundation, Jessica, is studying to be an electronneurodiagnostic technician at Midwestern Career College, a partner of the Epilepsy Foundation of Greater Chicago. She is enrolled in their Electroneurodiagnostic (END) Technologist Program. END Technologists record the electrical activity of the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nerves, including the EEG tests used in… Read more

This is Lucas, hair still wet from swimming lessons, proudly displaying his advancement to a new skill level. As parents of this talented, goofy, articulate, sweet hugger monkey, we are delighted that most days are full of predictable moments of silliness, ongoing story-telling, and countless references to all the bodily functions that typically entertain a… Read more

I was born in 1989 in Bogota Colombia. I was adopted at seven weeks of age and brought to the United States. I spent the first 13 years of my life in New Jersey about an hour outside of New York City. Then my dad got transferred for work, and I spent the next 13… Read more

“Epilepsy is my passion,” says Debbie Flader, the Epilepsy Foundation of Greater Chicago’s Clinical Coordinator. Debbie has been with the Foundation since 2002 and anyone who has worked with her knows this is the absolute truth. Debbie was first hired to do outreach in Chicago’s suburbs. She had met the Foundation’s CEO at a support… Read more

It is with a heavy heart that we share with you that James Davies, a true pillar of the Epilepsy Foundation of Greater Chicago, passed away on May 5, 2020. James’ commitment to the epilepsy community and EFGC started decades ago. He had suffered from a Traumatic Brain Injury while serving in the Vietnam War.… Read more

How I Champion My Health With Epilepsy By Ted Hardaway When I was twelve, I experienced a grand-mal seizure that for me and my parents was extremely scary and concerning.  Over the course of years, I saw neurology physicians and underwent testing to see what was the cause of the seizure. It was determined that… Read more

As the world battles COVID-19, the knowledge and advice from a trusted medical professional can make an enormous difference. Takijah Heard, MD is NorthShore University HealthSystem’s Division Head of Child Neurology and Director of Pediatric Neurophysiology. She is also on the Epilepsy Foundation of Greater Chicago’s Professional Advisory Board (PAB) and offers great insight for… Read more