I’m Carrie. I’m 21 years old and, for the most part, lead a pretty normal life. I’m a college student, I get pretty good grades and I have a great family and wonderful boyfriend. From the outside, I seem totally fine. But on the inside, I spend every day fighting a potentially life-threatening battle with a monster called epilepsy. Some days I win, some days I lose.

Although that particular story was my own, I’m sure many of you can relate. I know I am not the only epilepsy warrior out there. For those who fight just like me, this is your story, too. For those who sing our praises when we win and hold our armor when we lose, this is a story you’ve watched unfold millions of times.

And so the story goes:

We wake up early or miss school or work for countless EEGs, MRIs and trips to neurologists. We wear bracelets or carry papers so that we can be identified if we ever seize in public. We tell teachers, new friends, spouses and many other people about our disability long before we really get to know them, because we need to know that we will be safe in their care. We take numerous medications. We are constantly aware of our surroundings and try to be as “seizure safe” as possible (no high places, no swimming alone, avoid all triggers, etc). We come to accept that there are many things we may never be able to do. We face the fear that, at any moment, our brain could be taken hostage by an electrical storm. When it does, we often wake up not knowing where or who we are. We feel tired and sick and want more than anything to just be “normal.”

I’m not writing this to complain. Epilepsy does come with good things. We get to meet doctors who value our care and spend years fighting right beside us. We learn to love and trust a select few with our lives. Although this can be scary, it allows us to forge unimaginably close bonds. We find communities of people who are experiencing life in the same way we are – who understand the ups and downs and are always there to lean on. We get to be different – to set a real-life example that people really can overcome anything that life throws their way.

Despite everything epilepsy throws at us, we don’t give up. We fight long and hard. We cry when we have to, but we grab our armor and get back up. That’s one thing about epilepsy – it makes us warriors. To fight a disability like this, we have to be. Epilepsy may knock us down, but it can’t keep us there. With your love and support, we will always be able to get back up.