This year the Mature Student Scholarship was awarded to Antje Springmann of Clarke's Beach, currently studying at Memorial University to become a Counsellor.

I was diagnosed with epilepsy over a decade ago but it has been part of my life for much longer. The seizures I live with are difficult to diagnose and mimic many other conditions. Sudden onset of dizziness, nausea, extreme fatigue, disorientation, feeling faint, night-terrors - all were something I tried to accept until they eventually became so frequent that I became close to incapacitated.

Some may say that living with epilepsy is a burden, and it can be. I have learned that there are sacrifices to be made. Many times I have had to work hard to stay calm and confident, to not allow epilepsy determine how far I can go. At my lowest times it was hard to leave my house for fear I might have a seizure.

I put off going back to academics for many years. I was afraid that my brain would let me down. It was a lot to risk. But when you have been very ill you receive a gift of grace. You carry in you the crystal clear knowledge that life is fragile and passes by so very quickly. If something is truly important to you, you had better go after it while you can.

Epilepsy Newfoundland and Labrador takes great pleasure in extending our sincerest congratulations to both Antje and Joey. You offer great proof that epilepsy does not have to be a barrier to reaching your goals.