I was diagnosed with epilepsy related to Tuberous Sclerosis when I was 2 years old. I had begun having infantile spasms as early as 4 months old. I began having complex partial to tonic clonic seizures 2-3x weekly for the first 14 years of my life. At 14, I was found to be a candidate for a partial left temporal lobectomy which reduced my seizure frequency down to almost none.
While I still take medication and have chosen not to drive in case of a breakthrough seizure, I am so thankful to my pediatric neurologists and neurosurgeon in Texas for a more independent life as I was able to go on to graduate high school and college (which my parents were told I would never make it through after the TSC diagnosis).
A cure for epilepsy would mean seizure freedom for the many friends I met at my epilepsy summer camp I was fortunate to get to attend for 4 years, as well as greater independence in our lives.