In My Own Words

Eleven-year-old Hannah Ceniseros lives in Rowlett, Texas and is in 5th grade. For two years Hannah maintained good seizure control with a few breakthroughs. This school year she has seen a change in seizure type and diagnosis. Writing has helped her understand her condition better, particularly during some rough times this school year. She loves Harry Potter and says she identifies with his burning scar, his bravery and his good friends.
BY HANNAH CENISEROS

Since my diagnosis of epilepsy in 2004, I have faced two very different roads. One road is that I could remain silent about epilepsy. The other road is that I could tell people about epilepsy in written and spoken words. The road I chose to take was to tell people about epilepsy in both written and spoken words. The changes that have already been made in my life are being able to tell people about this and not be afraid of being teased or laughed at. The changes that will happen are that I’ll have a rare opportunity to get to meet congressmen and other kids, who like me, have epilepsy when I go to the Epilepsy Foundation’s Kids Speak Up program in Washington D.C. in April.

The road not taken didn’t have as many opportunities for me. Also, all my emotions and secrets would have to be bottled up inside me if I had chosen to remain silent about epilepsy. The changes it could have made are that I wouldn’t be as confident. I would be scared to talk because I could blurt something out about epilepsy that I didn’t want to say because the secret would be out. Or possibly the road would have made me shy, quiet and not as upbeat as I usually am.

The path I took was better because I have had many good opportunities. Talking and being open has given me confidence, courage and capability. It has also helped my resumé to say I’m an epilepsy advocate. This choice reminds me of my hand. The path I chose is my open relaxed hand symbolizing that I can talk about my epilepsy and not be afraid or hide it. The other path I didn’t take is my hand in a tightly-clenched fist, symbolizing that all of my emotions are bottled up inside. I think I took the right road in being open about epilepsy instead of closed shut. I may not always share every situation, but the road I took gives me the choice to share when I want.

• WEB EXCLUSIVE: A slideshow of My Journey with Epilepsy, by Hannah Cenisneros.