It was Fall of 2011. I was 16 years old and in 11th grade. It was the sixth period of the school day. Somewhere between 13:00 and 14:00. I had study hall. My friend Chancellor Campbell and I went to the library as we usually did during this period. Chancellor was completely focused on doing his school work. He was amazing friend to have. I question whether he ever thought the same of me. Not that I think I did anything to offend him in any way. We were just focused on a lot of different things, but thank God, of all the friends that could have been sitting there at that table with me he was the one who was.

Chancellor Campbell was the first person to help me while I experienced a seizure.

Now, I was playing a stupid, simple game on my phone that was based on Nyan Cat. I never cared much about school-work. I learned in all my classes. I did great or at least alright on tests. I just wasn’t up for doing any more work than I felt I had to do. So, instead of completing homework like Chancellor I played games.

I’d say we were equally focused at that moment, but then something strange starts to happen. I begin to get a weird feeling. My focus becomes blurred. I try telling Chancellor I feel strange, but quickly it’s as if I don’t know what words are. I’m looking at him, but I cannot think. My mind is like bowl of soup. At that moment, iwho I am disappears. Black out.

I wake up in the nurse’s office of the school. For the first time in my life I am told that I have just had a seizure. It was a Grand Mal. I did not know what that meant. Then I am told the rest of the story. Luckily Chancellor was with me. He knew what to do. He was able to help me down on the ground as my body convulsed. I was told he stayed calm and collected until more help came.

My head is ringing in a way I’ve never experienced before. I’ve had headaches, but this is beyond that. All I get is some aspirin, and I’m told my mom will be coming to pick me up.

I would go on to tell Chancellor that he was my hero. I would tell him that every once and a while. I meant, but I could not imagine how much I would believe it now that I am older. I look back after having experienced a life full of seizures where a large percentage of the time I had no one to help me as the seizure began to occur and I am so grateful Chancellor was there. I hope he is doing well. I believe he deserves to. He’s a hero.

This is the Fowler building of the Carlisle High School in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. The library located on the second floor is where I my first seizure occured.