“At first I didn’t think anything of it. I thought I was just getting the chills and blanking out for a second. It wasn’t until my mom noticed that we put two and two together,” says 18-year-old Briza Garcia, who was diagnosed with juvenile myoclonic epilepsy at 17. “It was hard to find a pediatric neurologist who would help me, as most were adults only, until I found Dr. Jason Lerner’s office. He helped me find the right medications so I don’t have the seizures holding me back. He also really helped me get through a tough time in my family by finding me a therapist. I feel like I have a future now. I don’t get depressed and can focus on the good stuff. I feel like, yeah, I do have epilepsy, but I’m also strong enough and getting through it. Even though it’s a part of me, I can still do all the things you can.”

Tags: Adolescent Epilepsy Center, Dr. Jason Lerner, epilepsy, juvenile myoclonic epilepsy, medications, Neurology, pediatric neurologist, Pediatrics, teen epilepsy