Announcer Uses Airwaves to Reach Others

By Sylvia Blair
between us staff
Posted: October 1, 2002

Diana Hollander

Listeners to classical music radio in the metropolitan Washington, D.C., area have been hearing a message of hope lately.

The announcer tells listeners who have epilepsy that they are not alone and encourages them to call the Epilepsy Foundation for help.

But there's something different about this announcer. Something in her voice suggests a deep and powerful connection to the people she is reaching.

She is Diana Hollander, who for the past ten years has informed, educated, and entertained at Classical 103.5, WGMS.

She also has epilepsy.

Diana first found out she had epilepsy about four years ago after having a tonic-clonic seizure. She learned that living with the condition involves much more than taking her medicine on time.

She found herself frustrated because doctors could not connect her with other people with epilepsy who could offer advice on how to handle things she was anxious about: like being worried about what other people would do if she had a seizure. Or not telling anyone because of feeling ashamed.

So Diana decided to do something to forge some positive changes for people with epilepsy in the WGMS listening area. She contacted the Epilepsy Foundation and offered to record a free public service announcement that would direct listeners to the Foundation's website and toll-free telephone number. Because the station reaches several hundred thousand listeners, she felt confident her message would be heard.

"When you have epilepsy, you have to learn everything you can, so you can master this condition," she says.

"But it helps to know you are not alone. Even if one person out there with epilepsy is looking for a community of others who understand, then I have helped him or her not to feel like an outsider any longer."

The 34-year old announcer has faced personal challenges because of epilepsy. "It took many trials on different medications before finding the medication I take now. And it offers only partial seizure control," says Diana.

"Having adult onset epilepsy is especially devastating because everything is turned upside down in the prime of one's life."

She went through a period at her job where she had to take a medical leave. Her employer understood. However, through a mutual agreement, Diana came back to the station part-time.

Having epilepsy hasn't been all obstacles, though. It actually led Diana to meeting her fiancé. Diana goes to a group of neurologists with offices in Maryland and the District of Columbia. There she met and fell in love with the business office manager. The couple plans to wed this fall.

And she will continue to bring classical music and that special public service announcement to the listeners of WGMS.