Monique Hopgood-Willis' story

On October 20th, 1997, I complained to my mom about neck and knee pain and using the bathroom by myself.

According to my mom, I was really irritable all day. My mom took to me to the doctor once she realized I had a rash. The doctor told my mom I was fine and sent me home.

Later that night, my mom went to work and my dad was home with me when I started having seizures on my left side and was slipping into a coma. He then called my mom and told her they needed to get me the hospital as soon as possible.

The nurses did many tests and my blood count and glucose levels were down. My left pupil was dilated to 4 millimetres. I continued to have seizures for three hours before the nurses and doctors controlled them with Dilantin (anti-seizure medication) and Ativan (sedative).

I was in a coma for two weeks  and the doctors told my parents if I were to come out of it, I would be handicapped.

Around age eleven, my seizures returned with puberty. Doctors later discovered scar tissue on my brain, which, along with stress, can trigger seizures. I manage them with Keppra, but everyday tasks can still be challenging.

I’ve had to relearn many things and live with epilepsy and significant cognitive impairments. Even if I don’t always remember, my body does. Despite these challenges, I’m grateful to be alive and am now studying neuroscience to better understand the brain.

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