Patience (Patti) Hubbard

Age: 8
Grade: 3

Ethan Hubbard

Age: 7
Grade: 1
Market: Stevens Point, Wisconsin

Craig and Lisa Hubbard, with their children Patti and Ethan, are just like any other American family, except that both children have epilepsy. This might make some sense in a family with a strong history of epilepsy in it, but the Hubbards don’t have that, instead, they first watched Ethan experience a seizure in July 2003, while he was watching Star Wars. He was only 3 years old at the time.

It's no big deal,” Ethan said. “Just take your medicine and you’re okay.” He’s even realized that Star Wars has absolutely nothing to do with his seizures so, after quite a while of not watching the movies, he’s now a huge fan of them, as well as all the toys and other associated items.

In January 2005, Patti had a seizure in school. The pediatric neurologist started her on the same medication at Ethan, who has complex-partial seizures, but further tests revealed that she was experiencing generalized tonic-clonic and absence seizures, instead.

“Some of the tests are scary,” Patti said. “But the doctors and hospital take good care of you.”

“The change in medications was no big deal,” their mother, Lisa, said. “But Patti is still dealing with the side effects caused by the absence seizures.”

Both kids have come out as having epilepsy through their participation in various awareness and fundraising activities, as well as their work with the local media. Both are also comfortable sharing their experiences with peers, classmates, teachers and neighbors.

“Having one child with completely controlled seizures that have nearly no impact on his life while the other child’s epilepsy causes issues we deal with daily has been a challenge, but one we have accepted as part of our family life,” Lisa said.