Brian Viens, a sophomore at Chattanooga School for the Arts & Sciences, has been selected to represent the Epilepsy Foundation of Southeast Tennessee as one of 44 delegates at the national Kids Speak Up! conference in Washington, D.C. March 28-30. His essay, “Seizure Experience” earned him the spot.
"I feel very honored to have been selected to attend Kids Speak Up! in Washington DC, said Brian. “I am looking forward to participating, and contributing to the presentations to our congressional leaders on the Hill,” he added.
“I hope to bring a 16-year-old's perspective to the discussions with teens, and share my experiences, strength and hope with those participating,” he said.
“Brian will make a fine advocate for Tennessee,” said Beth Coleman, Executive Director of the local Epilepsy Foundation. “His advocacy is especially critical this year because of the confusing changes in TNCare which have left many people with seizures without either appropriate or adequate medication.” she added.
Ms. Coleman notes that Tennessee has the highest documented frequency of epilepsy in the nation. 2.6 people in 100 in Tennessee have epilepsy whereas just two in 100 have epilepsy nationwide.
The Epilepsy Foundation of Southeast Tennessee serves a 13-county region.
While in Washington, Brian will have the opportunity to join teens from across the nation in speaking with legislators regarding issues facing those with epilepsy. Those include health care reform to assure access to medication, eradicating stigma and discrimination, early detection and appropriate treatment, as well as access to employment. He will also learn about how government works.
According to the national Epilepsy Foundation, about 2.7 million Americans have epilepsy. Further, one in every ten people has had, or will have, a seizure at some point in their lives.
Epilepsy is the third most common neurological disorder in the United States after Alzheimer’s disease and stroke. It is equal in prevalence to cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s disease combined.