Jennifer Errande
Freedom Star

Jennifer Errande, pictured here with her two children, Karna and
Isha, is this week’s Freedom Star. Jennifer returns again this year
with the same amazing drive and passion to make a difference!

“The work performed by the Epilepsy Foundation is the reason I

am still alive today. In 1976, I was diagnosed with epilepsy and
took Tegretol until 2003. When I would have a generalized
seizure, I was always given the appropriate care and
accommodations because of the efforts made by the epilepsy
foundation to inform the public and professionals about epilepsy.
In 2003, I almost died in a state of status epilepticus at which time I was placed on 5 medications but continued
to have frequent seizures. In 2005, I chose to undergo a left temporal lobectomy as suggested by my
neurologist. I have had no seizures since the surgery and took my last medication in January of 2007...knock
on wood.

Since the epilepsy was on the left side of my brain, my verbal skills were somewhat impaired, and I needed
different forms of communication. I studied music in college and later
discovered an Indian dance style called Bharathanatyam, which allowed
me to pray without the use of words. This summer, I studied
Kuchipudi and Bharatanatyam with Dr. Saraswathi Rajathesh in
Bangalore,India. I have also studied with her sister, Bhagyasri
Manohar, in the United States.

In May of 2005, I scored in the 96th percentile on the Graduate

Management Admission Test (99th percentile on the verbal section) and
was offered scholarships to multiple MBA programs, including
Pepperdine University's Graziadio School of Business and
Management. I will graduate from Pepperdine with an MBA in Finance
in December. “– Jennifer Errande

EFGLA: Jennifer, what does Freedom from Seizures mean to you?

Jennifer: To me, each day that I am free from seizures is a day when I must try to help those who are not. I
believe that the help I have provided to others is what has allowed me to remain seizure free for over 5 years
and consider my level of responsibility to be directly proportional to the number of days during which I
continue to be free, a number which I hope will continually increase.

EFGLA: What is a little known fact about you?

Jennifer: I love succulents, also known as cacti. I consider them to be the most beautiful plants because of their
ability to survive and even flower without water for great lengths of time. I strive to acquire the same
endurance and stamina...though I should probably try harder.

The Epilepsy Foundation of Greater Los Angeles would love to feature you or your loved one as a Freedom Star.
Please contact Rebekkah Halliwell at RHalliwell@EpilepsyFoundationGLA.org or (310) 670 -2870 x 103 today!

www.EpilepsyFreedomWalk.org