Faces of the Foundation: Liv
A junior in high school, Liv, 16, has been swimming competitively for more than half of her life. She began at the age of seven, competing with local swimming clubs. She joined her Glenbrook North High School team swimming on varsity as a freshman and was a member of the 200 and 400 Freestyle relay teams as a sophomore that went to the IHSA State meet last year.
Her passion for swimming, as well as the bonds she has formed with her teammates and coaches have had a true impact on her life. As a person living with epilepsy, there can be additional challenges to the already rigorous aspects of competitive swimming, however, Liv takes it all in stride.
“Swimming is a good outlet for me,” Liv says. “Especially after a long day of school or stress.”
The camaraderie that Liv has among her teammates and coaches has also given her a sense of community. Their support and acceptance of one another reached new heights last February when Liv, who in the past had experienced absence seizures that were generally controlled with medication, had a tonic clonic seizure at home. She had been seizure free for a year.
“I didn’t know what had happened until I woke up in the hospital. It was very scary.”
Despite the initial fear, Liv soon embraced her experience, realizing that epilepsy doesn’t have to define who you are. She decided it would be best to meet with her team and coaches at New Trier Aquatics, who were very supportive, to educate them about epilepsy. Previously, she hadn’t spoken about her diagnosis, but she then understood the importance of letting others know.
“It’s important to speak up,” Liv says. “I’ve grown not to be nervous and now feel proud to tell my story because I know it can create awareness to help keep others safe if they have a seizure. Epilepsy is something I have, it’s not who I am.”
Matt, Liv’s father, who is also on the Board of Directors of the Epilepsy Foundation of Greater Chicago, as well as the Epilepsy Foundation of America, sees a difference in his daughter today.
“A fuse was lit in February,” he says, “and it’s starting to burn brighter.”
Liv’s parents now attend her swim practices and acknowledge that it’s hard not to be noticed as the only parent there, yet that does not phase her.
“Liv handles it with maturity and grace. She is an amazing spirit. Some might be afraid, but she is not,” says Matt.
Liv plans to swim in college and major in teaching. She hopes to someday work for the Epilepsy Foundation of Greater Chicago.
“I want to be a great advocate for the organization and help other kids share their stories too.”
