Nathan Blood

Age: 13
Grade: 6
Market: Lacey, Washington

Nathan Blood is an articulate boy who focuses on living life as fully as possible, despite his epilepsy and the side effects of his medication. He speaks confidently and clearly about his condition, even when interviewed by TV reporters.

He loves climbing, biking, skateboarding, skipping rocks, swimming, reading, learning and many, many, other things. He’s eager and able to teach others, showing an amazing patience when helping others balance on a skateboard, throw a baseball, grip a bat, or learn to swim.

He also has epilepsy, complete with a history of status epilepticus, which are life-threatening seizures. These seizures were finally controlled with medication, but the medication also created bone density loss, slowed growth, and problems with his body rapidly overheating. He has to stop and rest and drink water to cool down when he’d much rather be going… and going… and going. After all, he’s a typical boy who wants to get outside and play, avoids emptying the garbage, argues about taking baths, and thinks clean clothes are better stored under the bed than in the dresser.

“I wish people would realize we’re just like other kids,” Nathan said. “We just have something extra about us.”