I'm currently a third year student studying Neuroscience at UC Berkeley!

Seize and Shine is a project of mine advocating for seizure awareness following my experience with seizures. Here's the story of how it started!

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​My Grandma called me from downstairs, telling me it was time for dinner. It was a typical afternoon, and I about to go down to eat my grandma's cooking. As  I made my way down the stairs, my body suddenly twitched - and I stumbled and fell, finding myself on the bottom step. It was a startling experience, and the twitching continued at the dinner table. The soup had spilled across the table and I turned around and saw my brother frozen in his seat. Moments later, everything went black. 

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When I regained consciousness, I was in an ambulance with a paramedic asking me a variety of questions. What school do you go to? What are your hobbies? However, the one thought in my mind was what had just happened and how my life would change.

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The journey from the hospital to the diagnosis from my neurologist was confusing. Scan after scan, test after test, and I didn't always know what they meant. Eventually, the diagnosis came: Juvenile Myoclonic Seizures. What scared me the most was the unknown. What would come next or what it meant for athletics and school? Thankfully, my neurologist provided clear explanations and guidance, making the transition easier. So did learning about my condition and accepting that it was going to be a part of my life.

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I decided to create this initiative called "Seize and Shine." It consists of artwork that addresses various aspects of seizures, such as the emotion they foster, treatment options, or factors that play a role in seizures. Additionally, I am also writing a picture book, inspired by my experience with seizures, aiming to offer another aspect of seizures. I will be updating my website with artwork and updated pages of the picture book.

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I realized how much fear that comes with these types of diagnoses, especially when you don't understand everything that comes along with it. Moreover, the stigma surrounding these conditions can affect mental health. Through Seize and Shine, I hope to give children diagnosed with epilepsy a better understanding of their conditions, where a sense of acceptance is created and they feel heard.

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Let's shine a light on seizures and make a positive impact on the lives of children navigating these journeys.