2006 Kids Speak Up! Participant Biography

Kailyn Bruton

Age: 16
Grade: 10
Hometown: Springville, Tennessee

"Close your eyes and imagine that you had a seizure. Maybe this time your whole body shook all over and you drooled from the mouth or perhaps you got lucky, and all you did was pass out."

At 13 years old, Kailyn experienced her first seizure while away at camp. Worried about similar incidents happening to Kailyn, her mom was apprehensive about letting her out of sight. Therefore, she decided to stay home to care for Kailyn. As a result, she lost her job due to numerous missed days.

Now, the family did not have medical insurance and Kailyn's seizures progressed. They were forced to apply for government assistance. It took almost a year for the family to find a physician that accepted Medicaid. Under the guidance of her new doctor, her seizures were stabilized. Although she is not completely controlled; she is on the road to it. Her last seizure was September 20, 2005.

Kailyn believes that by participating in Kids Speak Up! she can help eliminate the shame connected to seizure disorders.

Back to 2006 Kids Speak Up! Participants by State...