Pfizer Awards Scholarships to Students with Epilepsy

Posted: September 23, 2002

They are musicians, athletes and community volunteers. One is a cancer survivor. They aspire to be doctors, journalists and engineers. They are the recipients of the 2002 Pfizer Epilepsy Scholarship.

The $3,000 scholarship is awarded to 16 students who have moved beyond the physical limitations of epilepsy and hold the promise of continued excellence in the pursuit of higher education.

It isn't always easy to fulfill that promise. Meagan McCormick, who will be a junior in college this fall, was excited about starting school several years ago when she had severe grand mal seizures two weeks before classes were to begin.

"I was rushed to the hospital and felt so ill I thought I would die," she said. "I was told I had epilepsy and would not be able to drive.

"I began my first day of school feeling terrible from seizures, my speech and motor coordination a little slower. Everyday was a struggle without a driver's license," McCormick continued.

She sometimes had to wait for the bus in sub-zero weather or walk a mile to her doctor's appointment. But McCormick didn't give up.

"I realized I needed to find a positive side to having epilepsy," she said. "I learned a lot about perseverance. Having epilepsy has shown me that with strength I can overcome anything."

Incoming college Freshman Jason Ivanitz knows about perseverance. As a soccer player who was initially teased because of epilepsy, he went on to receive the team's "Iron Man" award for his determination on the field.

"I started for my varsity soccer team almost the entire season and finally earned a little respect from my teammates," Ivanitz, the team's goalie, said.

By taking a few precautions, he was able to have a successful season and has learned that epilepsy is only a small part of who he is. He plans to study Communications in college and knows he can attain all of his goals.

For more information about the scholarship, call (800) AWARD-PF, write Pfizer Epilepsy Scholarship Award, c/o The Eden Communications Group, 515 Valley St., Suite 200, Maplewood NJ, or visit www.epilepsy-scholarship.com.