Emma Whitaker: Advocating for epilepsy awareness

Emma Whitaker deals primarily with absence seizures that occur at night. She was diagnosed with epilepsy at age 4, after her parents noted that she had episodes of slurred speech during which she would “doze off.” Emma says her disease is now mostly controlled with medication, and she is able to participate in most activities including swimming, as long as she is accompanied by another adult. Emma is exploring initiating support groups for young adults with epilepsy in her hometown of Nashville. Her advice: Know what to do if you see someone with seizure symptoms.