Katherine Lacina

Age: 15
Grade: 9
Market: Faucett, Missouri

Katherine Lacina is a gifted and talented young woman who was diagnosed with epilepsy eight years ago. Since then she has tried many different pharmaceutical treatments—some of which have had traumatic effects on her—as well as a VNS implant, to no avail. Just recently, she decided she wanted to try the ketogenic diet, which had an immediate effect on her: She’s gone down to having just a few seizures at night instead of the hundreds per day she was experiencing.

A Girl Scout, she actively educates Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, fellow students, Sunday School students, friends and others about seizures and epilepsy. She volunteers for various causes, including the Special Olympics and Knights of Columbus.

“It is very hard to have seizures. It is very hard on the whole family,” Katherine said. “I cannot drive or play some games my brother and sisters can play. I can do some things they can do, like draw and paint. School can be hard for any person with seizures. I want people to know more about this kind of stuff.”