This is my fourth year to run in the Houston half-marathon or marathon in honor of my fiance, James Burke, who lived with uncontrolled epilepsy for 8 years. From 2009 to 2017, James tried medication after medication and visited doctors across the country in search of a solution for his seizures.

Finally in March 2017, James met Dr. Nitin Tandon of the Mischer Neuroscience Department at Memorial Hermann, who was confident James' epilepsy could be cured by resecting an abnormality on his left temporal lobe. This was the first doctor in years who expressed confidence that James could have a seizure-free life. And he was right! James has been seizure-free since his surgery on March 24th, 2017.

James taught me that, although life with epilepsy is certainly not easy, God can use these situations of suffering to produce in people resilience, character, and true joy. Even after running through a glass window, nearly drowning in a lake, and falling in a gas stove which burned almost half his body, James maintained the most positive outlook on life and aims to use his experiences to help others. For example, James helped lead the Studio E Art Therapy Program in Houston through the Epilepsy Foundation of Texas and regularly visits the John S. Dunn Burn Center and their outpatient therapy program in the Memorial Hermann Hospital. In James' words, he "lives to help others suffering from seizures".

Many people don't realize that life with seizures comes with associated mental and emotional side effects. And people living with epilepsy are restricted from enjoying some of the basic pleasures that I had come to take for granted such as driving, swimming, and spending time alone. The Epilepsy Foundation of Texas has helped improved the lives of James and countless others by accelerating research and providing resources and support. The Foundation also provides the unique opportunity for kids suffering with epilepsy to attend Camp Spike 'n' Wave (at no cost) where they can build self-esteem, create life-long friendships, and experience all of the joys and activities of camp in a medically safe environment.

I am so proud to be raising awareness and support for epilepsy in honor of James. Please join me in hope and prayer that more people suffering from the disorder will soon be able to tell their own success story!