SUMMER 2010 VOLUME 23

THE MISSION OF faces IS TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR ALL PEOPLE AFFECTED BY EPILEPSY THROUGH RESEARCH, EDUCATION, CLINICAL PROGRAMS, AWARENESS, AND COMMUNITY-BUILDING EVENTS.

THE EPILEPSY PHENOME/GENOME PROJECT: TABLE OF CONTENTS A LOOK INTO THE FUTURE by Ruben Kuzniecky, M.D. The Epilepsy Phenome/Genome Project: A look into the future by Ruben Kuzniecky, M.D. When a person is diagnosed with epilepsy, many questions arise: Why A Message from Lisa Millman did this happen to me or my child? Which treatment (or no treatment) is best for me? How long will the epilepsy last? Will any of my children or relatives Volunteer Highlight: be affected with seizures ? Unfortunately, and despite major advances in Sharon Shandler by Marie Pepe medicine over the past decade, many of these questions remain without a clear answer. NYU faces Epilepsy Fellowship: In the spring of 2002, Dr. Dan Lowenstein from UCSF and I had a A Bright and Exciting Future by Siddhartha Nadkarni, M.D. conversation focusing on the major questions daunting the diagnosis and treatment of seizures. What became clear from the onset was that to faces Mitzvahs by Marie Pepe answer these questions, we would need to collect and study in detail a large number of patients. After many meetings and years of planning, the Epilepsy 10th Anniversary Gala Phenome/Genome Project (EPGP) came to fruition. by Linda Azarian EPGP is the largest study ever created to understand how genetics Going Green influences epilepsy type, outcome and response to treatment. This study is by Emily Liedblad funded by the National Institutes of Health/National Institute of Neurological Racing for faces Disorders and Stroke. Researchers from 21 major epilepsy centers around by Robin Dunn Fixell the United States, Canada, Australia and Argentina will collect blood samples A Patient’s Perspective on and detailed seizure histories on a group of people with specific types of Adult-Onset Epilepsy epilepsy. This information will be used to identify genes that contribute to by Cathie Golden a person developing epilepsy A Look into the facesForward and the response to seizure Campaign medications. The hope is that by Emily Liedblad this information will reveal new College Lessons insights, improve diagnosis by Marne Braddock and treatment, and answer the troubling questions described All for Love above. by Linda Azarian (continued on page 3)

ATTENTION ALL KIDS! ARE YOU READY FOR A CHALLENGE?

Take part in the 2010 faces Lemonade Challenge and raise money for the Dr. Blanca Vazquez Summer Camp Scholar- ship Fund. You can get involved in this fun, summer project from now until Labor Day and we’ll give you everything you need to begin. For more information, log-on to www.nyufaces.org or call us at 646-558-0900. COVER STORY CONTINUED: A MESSAGE FROM NYU faces To understand the complex genetics of epilepsy, EPGP of their study center. Participation does not require travel 223 East 34th Street seeks to enroll 3,000 people who have epilepsy who also to one of the study centers, and participants may receive LISA MILLMAN, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF faces New York, NY 10016 have a brother, sister, parent, or child with epilepsy. The small compensation for their time. (646) 558-0900 study is also enrolling 750 participants who have seizures Greetings from the faces team. The first [email protected] due to infantile spasms, Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome, EPGP is starting its fourth year this spring. It has half of 2010 has been extraordinarily suc- www.nyufaces.org polymicrogyria, or periventricular heterotopia. For this recruited over 2,000 patients so far and we hope to be cessful. Our research agenda continues to second group of people, both biological parents (without able to add new centers and patients to complete the thrive highlighted by the incredibly gener- Founder: epilepsy) are required to participate. We focus on siblings study. EPGP will help shape the future of clinical care of ous $1 million gift from the Shaw Family. and parents because the genetics of epilepsy are complex people with epilepsy. For the project to be successful, This has enabled us to, among other things, Dr. Orrin Devinsky and likely to be regulated by many genes and not it needs to be a strong collaboration among all of the recruit talented new leaders and scientists single gene mutations. It is also the clinical and genetic people with epilepsy in our country. who will advance research initiatives in in- Executive Director: differences between siblings or parent/children that will flamation. We enjoyed our first Parent’s Lisa K. Millman be able to tell us much about why epilepsy may be mild Our dream is that, in the not-too-distant future, we will Network social event, launched faces- or severe in some cases. Although the results of the study be able to do a blood test to test genes so we can tell the Forward - a new online giving campaign - and in March we celebrated our 10th Anniversary Gala where we raised almost Assistant Director of Special will apply to many different people with epilepsy, focusing patient what type of seizures he has, which drug is likely this research effort on very specific types of epilepsy will to be the best. This information would help guide doctors $3.6 million. Large and small, our programs strive to support Events and Communications: our community. allow the genetic analysis to be completed faster. in choosing medications that are more effective and cause Linda Azarian fewer, if any, side effects. And, as summer approaches, it is good to reflect upon the impor- Participating in the study involves blood draw and tant moments from the past six months. Thanks to our Steering Program Coordinator: interviews. Numerous safeguards are in place to protect If you would like more information, please visit our website: Ari Hershey the privacy of participants, and the researchers will not www.epgp.org, or contact EPGP at: 1-888-279-3747, e-mail: Committee, Teen Bowling was introduced and will now become [email protected] or contact Dr. Kuzniecky at 646-558-0802 an important initiative for this population. Not only were we met share personal identifying information with anyone outside by a group of enthusiastic teenagers who were ready to bowl Sr. Recreational Therapist: and have some fun, but it also provided a forum for parents to Peggy Guinnessey meet and chat about their shared experiences. Most important- ly, new friendships were forged with each high five after a strike by RubenGOING Kuzniecky, GREEN M.D. b y Ruben Kuzniecky, M.D. by Ruben Kuzniecky, M.D. by Ruben Kuzniecky, M.D. or spare. Sometimes, when we are working on the bigger events and conferences, we forget to take a step back and realize that by Emily Liedblad from the JAR Group faces is about individual moments - one person, one family and one story at a time. Each is unique and always inspires. Parent’s Network Program faces is turning a new leaf! In an effort to our mission. The Parent’s Network Program offers support dedicate more of our resources towards By swapping mailbox for In the summer issue of the faces Newsletter, I’m pleased to in- for parents with the many challenges troduce you to some extraordinary people who are making a dif- surrounding care for a child with epilepsy. funding faces programs, we are moving to an inbox, you are helping to ference and helping to advance the faces mission. We meet electronic newsletter...and a greener planet! support faces research, children and adults, doctors and volunteers who all make up the The Network gives families From now education, advocacy, and fabric of faces. Every story should be celebrated as each ac- much-needed information on a variety of subscribe to our complishment makes our work possible. topics ranging from: on, we will be e-mail newsletter and community outreach. EDUCATIONAL SERVICES sending an We’ve already been able Over the next few months, I ask you to devote a few moments put $2 back towards HOSPITALIZATION email newsletter to return thousands of dollars back to faces - reach out to us, send us an email, share your story, SOCIAL SUPPORT RESOURCES our mission let us know how we can better involve you with our efforts. Tell to all current to the programs that matter. Plus, us about your successes and challenges and we will do what we Would you like to be a part of our network program? subscribers with email newsletters allow us to keep can to help: we are a part of a shared community and our goal is Would you like to get in contact with a support parent? Interested in becoming a support parent? an email address in our system. If you haven’t you up-to-date on all important faces news to find ways to make a difference. provided us with your email address you’ll and events. You can do your part to support I wish you a happy and healthy summer filled with new adven- still receive our newsletters via mail; however, our environmentally-friendly communications tures and lots of quality family time. there are plenty of good reasons to opt into efforts by subscribing to our email newsletter our e-newsletter! online at http://faces.med.nyu.edu/ For every electronic newsletter conversion or webform/faces-contact-form or by sending For more information, please contact the faces sign-up, faces is able to put $2 back towards your email address to [email protected]. office at 646.558.0900 or [email protected] 2 3 NYU faces EPILEPSY FELLOWSHIP faces MITZVAHS by Marie Pepe A BRIGHT AND EXCITING FUTURE There are many young men and women who Ashley Arnold is a budding entrepreneur and by Siddhartha Nadkarni, M.D., Assistant Professor of Neurology; raise money for faces as part of a community has made eye-catching note cards as a Bat Program Director, Clinical Neurophysiology Fellowship service project, which is both charitable and Mitzvah project to also raise funds for faces. generous. I’ve recently had a chance to talk She not only designed the floral cards, but n some cultures to become a healer, one must monitoring, Adult to some families whose children are soon packaged them and sold them at her temple having either a Bat or Bar Mitzvah and are meet rigorous spiritual benchmarks and be and Pediatric EEG and on-line. She has raised over $2,000 and chosen by a higher power. Often, training of monitoring, and the doing a service project in honor of their special I Shaman runs two or more decades before one is epilepsy consult occasions, with some even asking friends an additional $200 in direct donations for her allowed to practice unsupervised. service. They learn and family to give to faces in lieu of receiving efforts on behalf of faces. If you haven’t how to evaluate these patients, write EEG reports, Medical education in the United States models gifts. The Fortgangs, Arnolds and Mayersons been to her site yet, please visit http://faces. and read EEG’s. Usually one of the four epilepsy earlier systems of apprenticeship. Many interns are three families whose children have chosen kintera.org/Ashley to see what you can fellows goes on to stay in academia and the others today may use the word indenture. It is a process of go on to private practices specializing in epilepsy and to celebrate this important rite of passage by purchase. graduated supervisions and acquisitions of technique Clinical Neurophysiology. giving to others. and knowledge as well as increasing autonomy and Brett Mayerson is another successful responsibility. To become a “fellow” in epilepsy, We are very excited to announce a plan to change Thanks to Skyler Fortgang, his family and entrepreneur as he has personally designed one has to have graduated with an accredited the structure of this fellowship and are humbled music teachers, a concert titled Rhythm for undergraduate degree (four years generally), by the support you all have offered through faces. bracelets to raise money for the Dr. Blanca a Cure will be held on June 18th. Skyler is a Vazquez Summer Camp Scholarship Fund. matriculated in and graduated from an accredited Through the generosity of donors we would like to witness to the effects of epilepsy as it relates medical school (four years), and completed an announce, the faces As his Bar Mitzvah project, he designed and to a member of his family. For his Bar Mitzvah, accredited neurology residency (four additional We will now be able to attract fellowship program sold these great looking bracelets on-line years generally, five for pediatric neurologists). in epilepsy. We he has arranged a concert as a community The tally comes to 16 years of training after those brightest and best have been provided service effort to help faces combat epilepsy. for $5 each, which has already generated $1,000 for faces. If you want to learn more high school. At this point the person applies for minds who are interested funding to increase He started organizing the project one year ago fellowships in subspecialty areas in neurology. our completion of by taking care of public relations, managing about Brett’s project, you can visit http:// One of which is clinical neurophysiology, in moving the field through epilepsy track fellows the performers and even securing the concert BrettssBarMitzvah.kintera.org/Project. which encompasses epilepsy, neuromuscular from four to six. translational research as well hall in Verona, New Jersey. All ticket sales and disorders, and sleep medicine. This will allow us to donations will benefitfaces. More information It’s wonderful to know that there are people make the fellowship It is a time in the fellow’s life to hone skills in a as clinical practice. like Skyler, Ashley and Brett. Thanks to all of a two year clinical on this concert can be found on http:// particular area within neurology with the end in and research oriented fellowship with three fellows rhythmcure.people-stories.com. you! mind of becoming a specialist in that field. Fellows in each year. We will now be able to attract those tend to be the brightest among the bright as they are brightest and best minds who are interested in selected from a very high level of training to begin moving the field through translational research as with and there are many more applications than there well as clinical practice. I suspect such a change are fellowship positions. We have been blessed with will produce at least four a year who are interested excellent fellows. in academic practice and dedicated to truly finding Currently, we have a clinical neurophysiology a cure for epilepsy and seizures. Given the clinical fellowship at NYU with two tracks, an epilepsy/EEG nature of our current fellowship we often don’t attract track and a neuromuscular/electromyography track. those applicants in high numbers who are interested We have four first year fellows in the epilepsy track in research. NYU School of Medicine is one of and two in the neuromuscular track. We usually also the most richly endowed research institutions have one second year research fellow in the epilepsy in epilepsy, both in terms of funding and faculty track as well. resources and our mentors our world renowned and will draw the brightest and most dedicated minds. Fellows are integral to the life of our Center and are You have made this possible from your generosity in our colleagues and collaborators. The teaching flows spirit, time, and money. in both directions and all of us learn from each other. They are often the ones patients have contact with We plan on giving our faces family regular updates in the evenings or on weekends. They see patients on the work of our Fellows and having them discuss with the attendings in clinic as well as in the hospital their research interests and findings with us in formal on various services including intracranial Video EEG and informal settings. Look out for the updates! Skyler Fortgang Ashley Arnold Brett Mayerson 4 5 10th Anniversary faces Gala

The 2010 Gala on March 9th was a Dr. Orrin Devinsky took the stage after dual commemoration for faces: it dinner and spoke about the collab- was the 10th anniversary celebration orative effort it takes among differ- of this event as well as a recogni- ent researchers and organizations to tion of more than 15 years of service approach the problems of epilepsy that the organization has given the care. No one could have exemplified epilepsy community. this shared purpose more than the evening’s honoree, Susan Axelrod who, as Co-Founder and President of The actual day of the gala began at CURE (Citizens United for Research 7:00 a.m. with 15 faces volunteers in Epilepsy) spoke of the great strides arriving at Pier Sixty at Chelsea Piers we’ve made as a community, how far to set up the amazing 350 silent auc- we still have to go and how we need to continue to collaborate with other tion displays. After a break and time epilepsy organizations. A highlight to change clothes, the volunteers of the evening was the introduction returned to manage their auction of two young people who spoke of areas--now joined by 30 additional their progress and personal hopes as volunteers--just before guests ar- patients of the NYU Comprehensive rived to have cocktails and do a little Epilepsy Center. shopping, all for a good cause. In total, 635 people attended the gala, with some coming from Pennsylvania, It was a great night and many people Massachusetts and Maine. participated to make it a success: one didn’t only need to buy dinner tickets for the event - ads were also bought The program began with master for the Gala Journal, many wrote of ceremonies, Stone Phillips, who note cards to friends and colleagues welcomed the audience and intro- asking them to make contributions, duced Dean Robert Grossman of people either solicited auction prizes, NYU Langone Medical Center. Dean donated or purchased them (or did all Grossman thanked those who played three!) and people contributed though a major role in organizing the event: the facesForward campaign which Gala Chair, Melissa Mathison; Auction reached out to the full faces com- Chairs, Susan and David Swinghamer munity through our website. All these and Gala Underwriters, Leah and individual efforts raised close to $3.6 Michael Weisberg. million for faces. To all of our gala friends, we offer our heartfelt thanks. VOLUNTEER HIGHLIGHT by Marie Pepe A PAT I E N T ’ S P E R S P E C T I V E O N A D U LT - O N S E T E P I L E P S Y SHARON SHANDLER by Cathie Golden Although epilepsy is often thought of as a childhood develop epilepsy at her age. She was also very This past month, I had the pleasure of meeting Sharon Shandler, another member of the disease, anyone at any age can develop it. While it is unfamiliar with the disease and didn’t know where to faces community. We met for lunch in NYC and the conversation was as bright as that most often seen in the very young (two years of age turn. She began to experience panic attacks whenever spring day. and younger) and the senior population (older than 65 she left the house. She stopped going out alone, years of age), over 2.6 million of the more than three stopped seeing friends, and even retired from her job. I found out that Sharon became involved with faces through her neurologist, Dr. Orrin million people in the United States with epilepsy are She thought life was over. Devinsky. She plays a role on the Steering Committee where she helps as a solicitor, patients older than 15 years of age. Wanting to gain control of her life again she began to donor and a volunteer for the silent auction at the annual faces Gala. Sharon became Of the 200,000 new cases of epilepsy diagnosed every educate herself about the condition. She worked with involved with faces because she was concerned that epilepsy affects so many people’s year, 155,000 are over the age of 15, with the majority her doctor to find the right medication and even started lives and there are still those who do not seek help or even speak about it publicly. She hopes that through of those over 65 years of age.1 seeing a neuro-psychologist to overcome her fears. the type of support that faces offers its community, “some day people will speak more freely about this condi- Developing epilepsy as an adult can be confusing, Sherry took her first bike ride in Central Park a few tion and its complexities”. Supporting faces has helped Sharon find strength even as she manages her own scary, and difficult to come to terms with. Most feel a personal health issues. loss of independence and a fear of the unknown. The good news In her spare time Sharon designs jewelry and even helps other organizations in need. She also speaks very is that one really can live a happy, highly of her own personal support groups, her friends and family. Sharon is committed to helping faces productive life. Here’s a story achieve its goals and is there whenever she is needed. about one patient who did.

Sherry, NYC, 59 years of age Sherry grew up in New York City and was accustomed to the RACING FOR faces hustle-and-bustle of a city that never sleeps. As an adult she by Robin Dunn Fixell thought nothing of overseeing a staff of 100 at a very prestigious law firm. It was all just here are motivated individuals who push themselves to reach their a part of everyday life--until her first seizure. personal goals and there are those who reach out to help others. One former Olympic athlete has managed to do both. Sherry was at home one evening when a strange T In a unique, physically wrenching, mentally-challenging adventure sensation overcame her and she fell to the floor called, “Racing the Planet,” Gabriel “Gab” Szerda tested his physical unconscious. When she awoke, she called a family and emotional endurance while raising funds for two charities: faces member for help and immediately went to the hospital. months later. She started making plans with friends and and ReserveAid (providing financial assistance to families of military Because no one had witnessed what had happened, going to the store alone. The final push back into life reservists). the only clues were the few details Sherry remembered. came when another patient with severe uncontrolled Racing the Planet--a seven-day, six-stage, 155-mile foot race run in remote desert locations throughout the She was admitted to the hospital and after countless epilepsy told her, “You can’t fixate on it. Just put it world--is an endurance event that appealed to Gab who, now 32, represented Australia in wrestling at the 2000 tests, Sherry was released with a clean bill of health behind you and get on with your life!” Olympic games. Today a trader in New York City for Macquarie Bank (headquartered in his native Australia), Gab and told it was probably a one-time event. Today Sherry is happy, full of life, and very active. She considers himself a “weekend warrior” who’ll “never shy away from a challenge.” Sherry continued living her busy life until a similar even finds time to be a volunteer forfaces and started Living in the United States for nearly 12 years and attending college here, Gab resides event occurred eight months later in a retail store. This driving out to the beach as she did before. in Manhattan with his wife, Julia Valente, currently an NYU medical student who is also a time, thankfully, customers in the store witnessed the There are many ways to manage life with epilepsy, as patient of Dr. Devinsky’s. According to Gab, they’ve “wanted to get a little more active in event and described it to the EMS workers who told Sherry found out. Finding the right medication, seeking helping out” those in need. Sherry that she had experienced a grand mal seizure. counseling, enjoying support from family and friends, Gab entered the race this April to raise money for ReserveAid and faces. The Macquarie Sherry was diagnosed with epilepsy and put on an anti- and maintaining a positive outlook can lead you back Group Foundation provided matching gifts for Gab’s pledges. Including the match, says epileptic drug to help control the seizures. to your life. Gab, the total raised for both charities will hopefully come close to $125,000. Running in 110-degree heat and 85% humidity through the remote Kimberly Region Sherry was shocked and unaware that she could 1. http://www.epilepsyfoundation.org/about/factsfigures.cfm in northwestern Australia, Gab traversed treacherous terrain that included canyons, water hazards, rocks and salt flats-- while carrying his 20-pound backpack. “The conditions were so hard that many times you wanted to quit,” said Gab. “Then you...think about the support you’re getting, the money you’re raising and it just kept me moving.” He was “ecstatic” to come in seventh out of 188 runners from over 35 countries. Next year he hopes to run in Nepal. According to Gab, “In the Olympics I was motivated by my own goals and ambitions in a hope of representing my country - however this race was more about helping others first and satisfying my own ambitions second.” FOLLOW faces ON FACEBOOK AND TWITTER!

8 9 LESSON TWO: Meet as many people as possible and ALL FOR LOVE A LOOK INTO THE facesFORWARD CAMPAIGN build lasting relationships by Linda Azarian by Emily Liedblad from the JAR Group As a graduating senior, my greatest memories in college When Scott met Jodi on a blind date, he knew then and are the moments I got to share with my friends. I learned there that a new life was in store for him with the woman e want to extend a huge thank you and online donation and to help spread the word about the that it is very difficult to take care of oneself alone; he fell in love with that evening. Little did he know that congratulations to the wonderful faces campaign by sending information to family and friends. however, by getting involved and meeting new people, he was gaining another family . . . the faces family. W community for making our most recent We also distributed postcards to encourage people to challenging times become much more manageable. Over the years, Scott has become a leading volunteer fundraiser, facesForward, an overwhelming contribute to faces and tell others about our cause. When placed in a new city without familiar friends, a for faces, helping it raise much needed revenue during success! To date, $80,568 in donations has been raised person’s unique characteristics seem to stick out more the gala season. Social media was another new and valuable addition from 219 donors, of which 90% are making their first in his or her own Scott Schubert is M.I.S. Director at Man-Dell Food to our traditional fund-raising methods. To promote the gift online. This includes a generous matching gift of mind. At home Stores on Long Island and his company owns several fundraiser, we sent out tweets through the faces Twitter The faces team taught $25,000. I was the only Key Food supermarkets in the city, primarily in Queens account (@nyufaces) with the link to the facesForward one of my friends and Brooklyn. Man-Dell is also part of the 110-store facesForward was launched in the months leading up to web page. Using social media helped us reach a me that everyone can with epilepsy Key Food Stores Co-Operative, one of the largest food the faces 10th Anniversary Gala and people were asked demographic of people who we may have not been able and, at the start retailers in the New York City area. Scott’s numerous to make a donation to support the event. We started the to reach through previous communications channels. and deserves to lead his of college, I was ties throughout the food industry nationwide have come facesForward campaign to engage the broader faces in handy when reaching out to colleagues to help a We are constantly amazed at the outpouring of support very aware of it. or her own best life community and enable them to participate. We were cause that is near and dear to the Schubert family. for faces and for its cause. For more information However, the new, thrilled with the incredible response and look forward about the facesForward campaign please go to bit. loving friends I made were interested in learning more Scott’s new family began soon after that first date. He to the growth of this new initiative” said auction chairs ly/facesforward2010. Thank you for your continued about the disorder and their questions reassured me that married Jodi and became a parent to her two beautiful Susan and David Swinghamer. support! I had established a close group of friends who cared children, Lindsay and Nicole. Nicole is a teenage This year was the first time that we ran the campaign about each other. I will always cherish the lifelong friends patient of Dr. Orrin Devinsky at the NYU Comprehensive We would like to give a special thanks to The JAR Group, primarily through email and social media. We developed I have made. Epilepsy Center and is very popular when she visits the an online marketing agency whose founder and CEO, A.J. an email strategy in which we sent emails to faces’ office. Her energy and good will are infectious. She Lawrence, is a member of the faces Steering Committee. is also extremely well liked by the staff, suppliers and supporters to guide them to a facesForward web page. LESSON THREE: Take advantage of every They provided us with guidance for the campaign and vendors of Man-Dell Foods who know her through her The facesForward web page allowed them to make an opportunity and make the most it helped make it the astonishing success that it has been. visits to the stores with Scott, or through letters and emails that Scott sends in January of each year. There will be moments in college you wish you could forget or avoid. However, an important part about going With the tireless support of Roseann Marabello, Man- to college is learning how to overcome uncomfortable Dell’s Advertising and situations and gain the confidence and maturity that will Shipping Coordinator, a series of emails are sent turn you into the adult you want to be. Therefore, it is COLLEGE LESSONS to vendors throughout the important to challenge yourself, to try new activities, and United States asking them by Marne Braddock overcome your fears. Most likely, during the process you to give to a cause that helps will meet new people, learn new skills, discover unknown Nicole and the Schubert y name is Marne Braddock. I am just like any other college student-- talents, and possibly find something that really interests family deal with the only I was diagnosed with epilepsy six years ago. Now, as a senior at you. challenges of her condition. Tulane University, I remember being so excited to head off to college Help comes in abundance M when the time came. I was ready to be on my own, independent LESSON FOUR: Help others through advertisements and free from my parents. I was looking forward to meeting new people and in the gala Journal or gifts I was fortunate enough to work for faces over my donated to the reinventing myself into the adult I wanted to be. As I finish my last semester, I Nicole cannot help but think about all the wonderful memories I will take with me and summer and winter breaks. The faces team taught me gala’s silent auction. the lessons I learned along this unbelievable journey. For those of you who that everyone can and deserves to lead his or her own This year’s Journal contains ads from Pepsi Cola, S.K.I. are thinking about college, getting ready for college, or want a flash-back to best life, and that it is important to assist as many people Beer Corp, BRdata, Brad’s Organic products, Key as possible to achieve this. Foods, Man-Dell Foods and practically every member college, I would like to share with you the four most important lessons I have of the Schubert family. This incredible outpouring of learned from not only being on my own in college, but being on my own in college with epilepsy. affection and love shows the family that friends and Everyone has different experiences in college, but I colleagues share their hopes for a seizure-free life for LESSON ONE: Stay organized and introduce yourself to the professor as soon as possible can guarantee that all students will learn that those Nicole and a cure for epilepsy. who reach out to help others in need will not only make What I did not realize when I was getting ready for college life were all the new responsibilities I would have as a a difference in the world, but will lead happier, more Providing money for cutting-edge research which will college student with epilepsy. I had to fill out accommodation forms requesting extra-time on tests; get all of my fulfilled lives. help people like Nicole is an extraordinary testament to faces and the Epilepsy Center teachers to sign three different pieces of paper acknowledging my learning disorder; turn in all of the forms within the first week and remember to remind all of my teachers two days before each test that I would be taking the exam Thank you Scott and Roseann for all your hard work on at a testing center; and finally, to drop off a copy of the exam. That was the easy part. The harder part was when behalf of the Schubert family and so many other families I experienced starring episodes in class and missed vital information that we would be tested on later. Thankfully, in our faces community. having established relationships with my professors early on, I found that they were very accommodating and would offer to assist me in any way they could. 10 11 223 East 34th Street New York, NY 10016 www.nyufaces.org phone: (646) 558-0900 e-mail: [email protected]

Ways to Help SAVE THE DATES! If you would like to further the faces mission, you can do so by becoming a volunteer or mak- Game Day ing a donation. For more information, visit September 25, 2010 www.nyufaces.org or call (646) 558-0900.

faces Epilepsy Conference A Call for Ideas and Articles October 17, 2010 Do you love to write? Do you have great ideas for our newsletter? If so, please let us know! We are currently starting to think about the fall S.I. Yankee’s Game Outing issue of our newsletter. Please contact us if you have an idea for a story. July 26, 2010