Epilepsy Foundation Alabama

Justice Bartley is in the industry of improving the lives of those around him in any capacity through basketball, business, and navigating everyday life.

He graduated in 3 years from the University of Virginia by tackling 50 college credits (26 credits in fall, 24 in spring) during his third year on grounds. During that time, he was also a marketing intern at JUMP CVille, and spoke publicly at multiple events in efforts to raise epilepsy awareness, all while being a member of UVa's basketball team that later won an ACC Championship.

One highlight to note from a year later, Justice took the opportunity to return to his alma mater as a guest lecturer and speak to students about various topics regarding leadership, culture, and the self. 

Ilene Penn Miller, the parent of a son with a rare epilepsy and national Rare Epilepsy Advocate, describes rare epilepsies and how to navigate a rare epilepsy diagnosis. Learn about the increasing number of rare epilepsies, the common diagnostic odyssey, and resources. 

Links: 

• Find organizations with information, support, community and more for rare epilepsies - https://www.rareepilepsynetwork.org/members-partners 
• Contact Epilepsy Foundation's 24/7 Helpline for questions, resources, support and more - https://www.epilepsy.com/connect/247-helpline  
• Find a Level 3 or 4 Epilepsy Center for patients with refractory (don't respond to medications), severe, rare, complex, or early life epilepsies. 
• Ask about Genetic Testing - may be available for free via Behind the Seizure. 
• Know your risk for SUDEP and Get Trained in Seizure First Aid
• Epilepsy has many causes - learn more here - https://www.epilepsy.com/learn/epilepsy-due-specific-causes
• Learn more about Rare Epilepsy Registry - https://www.epilepsy.com/about-us/research-and-new-therapies/engagement/access-rare-epilepsy-network-registry
• Compare information for seizures, medications, side effects, development and more across 1500 patients and 40 rare diagnoses. 

Reese Dismukes grew up in Spanish Fort, Alabama as the middle child of five kids  Reese attended Spanish Fort High School where he  excelled as a four-sport athlete; football, tennis, golf, track and ultimately became a four-star recruit in football, ranked as the number one Center in his class  Reese attend Auburn University and earned many accolades as a four-year starter, including first-team All-SEC selection his junior year; Rimington Trophy recipient; named as a consensus All-American.

Reese played professionally for the Pittsburgh Steelers, Carolina Panthers and Denver Broncos as a member of their practice squads. After his time in the NFL, Reese returned to the Spanish Fort, the community that supported him through his entire career. His plan was to give back to and make a difference in the community that stood by his side through all the up and downs he faced during his career.

In April 2018, Reese co-founded “The 50 Foundation”. The mission is to create awareness and funding for epilepsy and other organizations that foster and enable the betterment of our society’s youth.  In 2019 Reese increased his goal to give back by becoming a National Ambassador for Athletes vs Epilepsy.

“My little brother Harry Dismukes has epilepsy. His doctors have never been able to figure out what causes his seizures. This is why I chose to start my foundation and serve as a member of the Athletes vs Epilepsy Team. I have been given a platform because of what I was able to accomplish on the football field. Now that I cannot be on the field, it’s my turn to give back to those that helped me along the way.”

Kevin Archer is a board member at Epilepsy Foundation Alabama. He recently got a job working for Google- a dream job, right? Hear about his personal journey with epilepsy and more in this podcast episode.

Learn about the Help End Epilepsy specialty license plate In this episode. We Interview Emily Hornak, Director of Cause Marketing at Children's of Alabama.

Garland Stansell, APR, is Chief Communications Officer at Children's of Alabama and Epilepsy Foundation Alabama Advisory Board Chair. He has more than 30 years of experience in public relations, marketing, health promotion, advocacy and fundraising.

SUDEP Institute Director Sally Schaeffer shares why SUDEP is important to talk about and how the SUDEP Institute can help make a difference.

Sadly, sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP) has been making a lot of headlines lately. And while the public is just learning more about it, the Epilepsy Foundation’s SUDEP Institute has been aggressively seeking awareness of this loss from epilepsy since its establishment in 2013. 

Mortality in epilepsy such as SUDEP is difficult to speak about, especially without a resolve on how to prevent it. But each year 1 out of 1,000 adults and children with epilepsy die from SUDEP. For people with poorly controlled seizures, the risk of SUDEP is much higher — 1 out of 150 each year.

Dr. Kathryn Lalor is a pediatric epilepsy specialist at Children's of Alabama. Hear about her own journey with epilepsy as a child and what led her to want to become a neurologist.