2005 Kids Speak Up! Participant Biography

Mike Mielenhausen

Age: 12
Grade: 6
St. Paul, Minnesota

Mike is a bright outspoken Minnesotan who leaves a good first-impression on anyone he meets. He describes his brain as "special" because of his condition. Mike experienced his first convulsive seizure when he was 4 years old. It would be a year later before another episode would occur. His sporadic seizures made it difficult to determine what would trigger them.

Mike had trouble accepting his condition, until the Epilepsy Foundation of Minnesota put him in contact with other children with epilepsy. Now, Mike realizes he is the same as other children, and he is not alone.

Today, Mike is outspoken about his condition and desires to educate anyone he meets about epilepsy. As a participant in the 2005 Kids Speak Up! program, he is eager to spread the message that although epilepsy is a serious issue, children with the condition should be treated the same as other kids.

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