Zachary R. Eide

Age: 12
Grade: 6
Market: Apple Valley, Minnesota

Born in Russia where he lived in an orphanage until he was three, Zachary R. Eide has never had it easy. According to his adoptive mom, Irene, he appeared almost lifeless the first time she saw him walking with his head down.

He’s still a shy kid, but there’s very little to connect him with who he used to be. Now he’s fun loving, caring, and takes joy in everything life has to offer. He’s stood up to be Minnesota’s Winning Kid in 2006–2007, led fundraising activities, grand marshaled a stroll for epilepsy, and fought his way out of classes for the developmentally challenged and into regular classes at his regular school. He truly shows how determination and will can allow one to succeed even when it seems insurmountable obstacles are blocking the way.

“If you take care of yourself and work hard you can do things the same as everyone,” Zachary said. “Every day you don’t have a seizure is a winning day. Kids with seizures shouldn’t be embarrassed when they have a seizure. Everyone understands and we can all be winning kids!”