McKenzie Lewis

Age: 10
Grade: 5
Market: Frontenac, Kansas

McKenzie Lewis was just like all the other fifth graders in her school in Kansas—that is, up until a year ago when she was first diagnosed with epilepsy. In the blink of an eye, everything changed for her entire family.

Now McKenzie has grand mal seizures and has begun what might be one of many treatments to control her seizures. Her parents, and others, have to keep a close eye on her, to watch for any problems. Her identical twin sister, Madison, is fearful that she will develop epilepsy.

And all the while, McKenzie, a bright and articulate girl, a regular volunteer, who is now no longer quite like everyone else, is looking to find new places to act as a volunteer—ways in which she can more directly raise funds for, and awareness of, epilepsy.

“I’m just like any other kids,” McKenzie said. “And you can never know who around you has epilepsy, so more people should learn what to do when someone has a seizure.”