Just before the winter break of my freshman year, I contracted COVID-19. A few weeks later, I was unable to return to my weekly triathlon training or daily swim practices. As the weeks wore on, severe fatigue and brain fog took its toll, and I was diagnosed with Long-COVID and reactivated Epstein-Barr. During the summer before my sophomore year, I had my first tonic-clonic seizure and was diagnosed with epilepsy. My sophomore year consisted of countless medical appointments, medication adjustments, more seizures, and more brain fog and fatigue. As a result, I could only manage to take three classes, but I managed to get back on track and do it with great grades and as part of the honor roll. My brain fog lasted for about a year and made it difficult to remember basic things and keep my train of thought. Simultaneously, I struggled to control my seizures. The seizure medications added to my fatigue, but I managed to stay afloat at school and stay on track by taking online and summer classes. By the end of my junior year, I was able to return to swimming in preparation for my senior year swim season. I was also able to enter into a dual-enrollment university program which allowed me to avoid early morning classes and help maintain my sleep schedule. Despite these obstacles and more seizures, this experience gave me skills including communicating my needs to doctors and teachers and asking for help when needed. When I was first starting experiencing seizures I felt misunderstood and I myself was not completely aware of what was happening. I didn’t know anyone else with seizures and felt alone, but I had family and physicians there to support me. I wasn’t able to relate to someone when my health was very poor, but I hope I can be that person for someone else. Before these medical issues, I had been interested in the medical field, but my fascination became more profound as I had direct experience with physicians and nurses that would help me along the way. It has made me want to help people struggling the same way as I have. I have become very passionate about my education to reach my goal of becoming a physician’s assistant. This scholarship would give me the resources needed to achieve my goals. It would provide security for me so all I would have to focus on was my health and my aspirations. I got involved with the Epilepsy Foundation and Alaska state legislature to promote awareness and reduce stigma regarding epilepsy. This advocacy led me to want to empower youth and encourage education about epilepsy. Contrary to the lower 48, Alaska doesn't have a local Epilepsy Foundation chapter. Even living in the biggest city in Alaska, there were no resources to help people diagnosed with epilepsy everything would have to be self-led. It is already difficult to get sufficient treatment as there is only one pediatric neurologist in all of Alaska. Seeing this made it even more clear to me that I could make a difference and had the drive to do so. I will continue to share my story in educating my community about what it's like living with epilepsy. Had it not been for my experiences, I would not have been exposed to a career that I am passionate about pursuing in the future. With my positive attitude and determination I plan to further this dream and make it a reality, while knowing that whatever I do I will do with what I have learned from living with epilepsy.