2005 Kids Speak Up! Participant Biography

Kevin Tsuchida

Age: 7
Grade: 1
Spokane, Washington

For Kevin Tsuchida, epilepsy has had a significant impact on his entire family. Soon after experiencing his first seizure, Kevin was diagnosed with myoclonic astatic epilepsy, or Doose's syndrome, a rare form of the disorder. In a single day, he experienced hundreds of seizures. He was forced to stay on the couch for his own safety. At one point, Kevin was taking 16 pills a day, which caused uncontrollable side effects.

Desperate to find a treatment, his parents opted for Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS) therapy. The implant gave Kevin a new life. Although he is not completely seizure free now, he is making progress by leaps and bounds.

Today, Kevin is an active volunteer in the "Epilepsy: Out in the Open" walk-a-thon. He has also been featured on several local news programs. Kevin believes that Kids Speak Up! is an opportunity for him to give back and fight against the condition that tried to take his life away.

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