On this month’s episode of Seizing Life, Kelly speakswith neurologist, neuroscientist, and former Director of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) Dr. Walter Koroshetz about the state of epilepsy research, the critical role of federal funding, especiallyfor early-career scientists, and the advances bringing new hope to people and families impacted by epilepsy. Dr. Koroshetz shares insights from his decades-long careerin neurology and neuroscience, including his leadership at NINDS. He explains how epilepsy research has improved our understanding of seizures and led to the identification of hundreds of genetic causes of epilepsy, opening the door tomore precise and potentially curative therapies. The conversation explores the promise of genomic therapies, gene editing, closed-loop brain stimulation, andtechnologies emerging from the BRAIN Initiative, a partnership between federal and non-federal partners with a common goal of accelerating the development of innovative neurotechnologies. The second half of the episode focuses on the currentresearch landscape with an eye towards the potential future impacts on epilepsy research. Dr. Koroshetz outlines the research roles of government, institutions, industry, and nonprofit organizations, and explains how they do and don’t collaborate with one another. He shares his view of the currentfederal funding situation, explains the history and effects of flat budgets in government funding, and reveals what he sees as the biggest threat to the scientific workforce and our country’s role as a leader in research. Finally, Dr. Koroshetz offers his advice for young scientists and what he sees as themost promising areas of epilepsy research that will improve the lives of patients and families living with epilepsy in the coming years. ABOUT CURE EPILEPSYCURE Epilepsy is the leading, non-governmentalfunder of epilepsy research. Since its inception in 1998, CURE Epilepsy has raised more than $100 million to fund epilepsy research and other initiatives that will lead the way to cures for the epilepsies. CURE Epilepsy funds grants for young and established investigators and to–date has awarded more than 300 cutting-edge projects in 18 countries around the world. Our mission is to fund breakthrough research that will transform the lives of people living with epilepsy as we lead the search for a cure. LEARN MORE ABOUT EPILEPSYVisit the “Understanding Epilepsy” section ofCURE Epilepsy’s website:https://www.cureepilepsy.org/for-patients/understanding/ STAY CONNECTED WITH CURE EPILEPSYSign up for our newsletter for the latest in epilepsy researchnews: https://www.cureepilepsy.org/subscribe/Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CUREforEpilepsy/Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/cureepilepsy/Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cureepilepsy/INCREASE YOUR IMPACTShare your story: https://www.cureepilepsy.org/personal-stories/Help us find a cure: https://www.cureepilepsy.org/get-involved/donate/
In this episode of Seizing Life, Katie Czyz talksabout being diagnosed with adult-onset epilepsy at age 39 after more than a decade of symptoms initially mistaken for panic attacks. Katie describes the focal aware seizures she experienced for years without realizing they were seizures, the mix of relief and grief that came with finally receiving adiagnosis, and the challenges of finding a treatment plan while managing medication side effects, memory loss, brain fog, and the emotional impact of epilepsy. Katie also shares how she turned to artificial intelligence(AI)—not as a replacement for medical care, therapy, or human connection, but as a form of “cognitive scaffolding” to help organize her thoughts, process emotions, and prepare for difficult conversations with loved ones and her therapist. She discusses the personal essay she wrote for the New York Times’ Modern Love column, the response she received from people living with epilepsy and their caregivers, and why sharing her story helped others recognize theoften-hidden experience of focal seizures.This conversation explores the symptoms and impacts ofadult-onset epilepsy, the mental health effects of diagnosis and treatment, and both the promise and limitations of AI as a tool for those navigating chronic illness. CURE Epilepsy does not endorse using AI in place of professional mental health support or medical advice. ABOUT CURE EPILEPSYCURE Epilepsy is the leading, non-governmentalfunder of epilepsy research. Since its inception in 1998, CURE Epilepsy has raised more than $100 million to fund epilepsy research and other initiatives that will lead the way to cures for the epilepsies. CURE Epilepsy funds grants for young and established investigators and to–date has awarded more than 300 cutting-edge projects in 18 countries around the world. Our mission is to fund breakthrough research that will transform the lives of people living with epilepsy as we lead the search for a cure. LEARN MORE ABOUT EPILEPSYVisit the “Understanding Epilepsy” section ofCURE Epilepsy’s website:https://www.cureepilepsy.org/for-patients/understanding/ STAY CONNECTED WITH CURE EPILEPSYSign up for our newsletter for the latest in epilepsy researchnews: https://www.cureepilepsy.org/subscribe/Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CUREforEpilepsy/Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/cureepilepsy/Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cureepilepsy/
Writer, filmmaker, and podcast creator Nicole Teeny joinsKelly to share her journey with adult-onset epilepsy and the deeply personalstory behind her ESPN 30 for 30 audio documentary, GIRL v. HORSE.Epilepsy entered Nicole Teeny’s life in her early thirties,upending her life, work, creativity, and passion for running. Nicole discusses the shock of her first tonic-clonic seizure, the long process of diagnosis and finding a medication that helped control her seizures while allowing her to feel like herself, as well as the emotional impact of epilepsy on her identity and relationship to her own body.When epilepsy interrupted Nicole’s professional life it alsoderailed her running routine, an activity that she had long depended on for both physical and mental well-being. As Nicole struggled to gain seizure control through a series of medications, she also set an audacious goal for herself: running a 50-mile endurance race against horses. With support from her wife, family, and doctors, Nicole found ways to train safely, confront uncertainty, and reclaim a sense of connection to her body. In this inspiring conversation, she details how preparing for the race helped her learn to livewith epilepsy by focusing on “controlling the controllables,” and explains how the experience became a four-part ESPN documentary series. Nicole’s story is a powerful reminder of the resilience ofpeople living with epilepsy, the importance of community and support, and the urgent need for continued epilepsy research to improve treatments and ultimately lead us to a cure. ABOUT CURE EPILEPSYCURE Epilepsy is the leading, non-governmental funder of epilepsyresearch. Since its inception in 1998, CURE Epilepsy has raised more than $100 million to fund epilepsy research and other initiatives that will lead the way to cures for the epilepsies. CURE Epilepsy funds grants for young and established investigators and to–date has awarded more than 300 cutting-edge projects in 18 countries around the world. Our mission is to fund breakthrough research that will transform the lives of people living with epilepsy as we lead the search for a cure.LEARN MORE ABOUT EPILEPSYVisit the “Understanding Epilepsy” section of CURE Epilepsy’swebsite:https://www.cureepilepsy.org/for-patients/understanding/ STAY CONNECTED WITH CURE EPILEPSYSign up for our newsletter for the latest in epilepsy researchnews: https://www.cureepilepsy.org/subscribe/Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CUREforEpilepsy/Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/cureepilepsy/Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cureepilepsy/INCREASE YOUR IMPACTShare your story: https://www.cureepilepsy.org/personal-stories/Help us find a cure: https://www.cureepilepsy.org/get-involved/donate/
On this month’s episode of Seizing Life®, Kelly Cervantes speaks with neuropsychologist Dr. James Jackson about medical trauma and the often-overlooked emotional toll of living with epilepsy.Dr. James Jackson, psychologist and neuropsychologist at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, and author of the recently published Reclaiming Your Life from Medical Trauma, discusses this relatively new term and explains how it can present in both patients and their family members. Growing up the son of a father living with epilepsy, Dr. Jackson understands personally the psychological and emotional impacts it can have on those living with the disorder as well as those who love them. He shares how seizures, hospital stays, ongoing uncertainty, and even everyday medical experiences can leave lasting effects on patients, caregivers, and entire families. He explains why epilepsy-related trauma is unique, and how it can show up as anxiety, avoidance, shame, or PTSD-like symptoms, and offers insights on recognizing warning signs and seeking support. Based on his work with patients and caregivers as well as his own personal experiences, Dr. Jackson encourages early mental health support, sharing his approach of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to help patients begin to heal and move towards building a rich, meaningful life even in the presence of fear and uncertainty.As those in the epilepsy community know, epilepsy doesn’t just impact the individual living with it, it touches everyone around them. This episode provides insights, enrouragement, and support for those struggling with epilepsy’s “hidden” emotional and psychological effects.
In this episode of Seizing Life®, Skylar Swatt sharesher epilepsy journey. From a stroke that caused seizures at birth to the onset of “mini-seizures” when she was a child which eventually resulted in a tonic clonic seizure and an epilepsy diagnosis in her teens, Skylar details her journey and the mental health impacts of her diagnosis and treatment.Skylar Swatt’s story begins at birth, when she suffered astroke that caused 15 seizures in her first few hours of life. Though doctors were able to get the seizures under control, after several years of seizure freedom they returned but were mistakenly identified as muscle spasms in her jaw. Skylar recounts how these jaw twitches went undiagnosed throughoutchildhood, until she experienced her first grand mal (or tonic clonic) seizure at age 14. She and her family began to push for answers—initially facing dismissal and frustration within the healthcare system. Through persistence, Skylar eventually found a neurologist who listened, explained her conditionclearly, and helped her make sense of what her brain and body had been experiencing all along.Beyond seizure control, Skylar opens up about the emotionalside effects of anti-seizure medications, including anxiety and depression, and how epilepsy affected her education, social life, and major life transitions such as starting college and navigating adulthood. She also discusses the importance of self-advocacy, mental health support, routine, and finding compassionate care.