Katy Lane Thompson

Age: 17
Grade: 12
Market: Geneva, Alabama

A consummate volunteer and extremely energetic young woman, Katy Lane Thompson was first diagnosed with epilepsy when she was 12. She actively participates in a great many sports and extracurricular activities at her high school, mentors other teens who have seizures, and is a bright and shining example of how young people with epilepsy can be incredible and productive members of their communities.

She encourages people to donate to the Epilepsy Foundation because, “Donating ANY AMOUNT will put us one step closer to finding a cure!” she says. She has, in fact, organized her own fundraising drives to benefit the Epilepsy Foundation of South Alabama.

“Living with epilepsy is like riding a roller coaster,” Katy said. “You experience ups and downs along the way. When you’re seizure free, you’re on top of the world... but when you experience a seizure, it’s almost like starting all over again. Kids with epilepsy want, need and deserve to be treated as normally as possible. They want others to know about seizures—including what to do if they see someone having a seizure. Knowledge is the key to feeling comfortable about epilepsy and seizures.”