This past weekend, I had the great honor of attending the Epilepsy Association of Utah’s inaugural gala benefit as the keynote speaker. It was an amazing night, and one I won’t soon forget.

Senator Orrin Hatch and me at the Epilepsy Association of Utah gala

Also attending this fabulous event was Senator Orrin Hatch, who received the Association’s 2010 Achievement Award for his bipartisan efforts in the passage of he 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act, and its 2009 Amendment.  I had the opportunity to visit with Senator Hatch, and inform him about the dire need to devote greater resources to epilepsy research.

At dinner, I sat with  Steve White, PhD and Steven Bealer, PhD, who are both CURE grantees from the University of Utah, as well as Karen Wilcox, PhD, who is a valued member of our Scientific Advisory Board. Their commitment to this cause is just awesome, and it was incredible to hear updates about their research.

And, what an inspiring organization the Epilepsy Association of Utah is! They provide awareness, education, support, and advocacy on behalf of people with epilepsy who live in the state of Utah. They have had some amazing accomplishments in the past few years, including their first benefit this past weekend, which attracted 270 guests.

I received such a warm welcome by so many other parents and family members who have traveled the same path as my family and are so desperate for answers for their children. Together, we can make change happen and bring long overdue attention to epilepsy. It was truly an honor to be there.