A journey with a chronic illness isn't easy, but music always makes it easier. Here are four songs that always "get" me when I need music the most.
1. "Fight Song" -- Rachel Platten
This song is my reminder that even when I feel my lowest, I need to keep fighting. I can't let epilepsy win when I have the capacity to keep fighting for my life.
2. "I'll Be" -- Reba McEntire
This song represents all the support I've gotten throughout the last six-plus years of journeying with epilepsy. Supportive friends, teachers, and professors have been the key to my success academically and personally. They've been the people who understand that I can't do everything because I've landed in the ER or things worse than that.
3. "Human" -- Christina Perri
Human reminds me that I'm not perfect. I can make as many plans as I want, but there will always be something that breaks me down and reminds me that I can't do it all.
4. "Live Like You're Dying" -- Tim McGraw
This song reminds me to always stay positive no matter what news I get in my life. Even my diagnosis can't stop me from leaving a normal life. In fact, the diagnosis should make me a better friend, daughter, and student (among some roles that I play). I should aim to make and tick as many boxes off as possible because you never know when your last breath is.