Hi, I'm Bianca, a student-athlete...a lacrosse goalie and I also play golf. Love hanging out with my family and friends and of course my dog, Bruce. But there's one more small thing you should know about me, I have epilepsy.
During a sleepover at a friend's house, I unexpectedly had a seizure. It was a frightening experience, but my friends quickly took action and called for help. My parents rushed to my side, and I was taken to the ER, where the doctors told my family that what I had experienced was a seizure. The news was shocking, to say the least. After nearly a week in the hospital with not many confident answers, we left frustrated not knowing what was wrong with me. After finding a new neurologist, I was finally given a diagnosis, thanks to my care team at New York-Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center.
My medical journey was filled with EEGs, MRIs, strobe tests, bloodwork, and more. I was officially diagnosed with epilepsy. While it wasn't the news I had hoped for, my family and I were relieved to have answers.
With the help of medication and lifestyle adjustments, I've been able to manage my epilepsy. I celebrated being three-years seizure-free in September 2025, which is an amazing milestone to celebrate when you have epilepsy! My doctor is hopeful that I'll eventually outgrow my condition!
I'm a Epilepsy Awareness Ambassador with the Epilepsy Foundation. My mission goes beyond fundraising; it's about educating our community on epilepsy and seizure awareness.
One of my key goals as an ambassador is to stress the importance of Seizure First Aid. If I were to have a seizure at school or on the field, would you know what to do? Would you be able to help a family member, friend, someone you work with, or even a stranger experiencing a seizure? If you're unsure or answered no, I encourage you to take a Seizure First Aid training course!
My journey with epilepsy hasn't been easy but I refuse to let it stop me from pursuing my goals. As an Epilepsy Awareness Ambassador, I'm grateful for the opportunity to make a difference in my community. Your support and commitment to helping me raise awareness by taking a Seizure First Aid course can help us create a safer world for those having a seizure or living with epilepsy.
Thank you for joining me on this journey.
xo
Bianca