Alva Review-Courier -

I still remember the day it happened, the panic in my mom's voice, the sound of the sirens getting louder by the second, and waking up the next day with my family in the room with me. It was that day that I learned my life would change forever at the age of 11. I was diagnosed with epilepsy.

Not only does having unexpected seizures worry you and your family, it impacts your independence. I have almost always been independent. Now, I'm a senior in high school and can't get my drivers' license.

My last seizure rattled both me and my family. I finished up my junior year and started to question my future, "How will I hold a job with epilepsy? How will I do on my own? What will I do if another one happens?"

Ultimately, I came to realize that you can't be stuck worrying about the future or being upset about the past. So, I decided to embrace it, start living life to the fullest and take every chance I get for anything because tomorrow is never promised. You only get one life, so make the most of it, no matter what life throws at you.