07/30/2026
1 in 26 people will be diagnosed with epilepsy in their lifetime. Meet Alissa, this month's 1 in 26 featured Face of Epilepsy!
Alissa Diamond experienced one of her first diagnosed seizures while cheering at a national competition in Myrtle Beach with her high school and all-star cheer teams. Just fifteen years old at the time, she remembers feeling unwell throughout the day, struggling to eat, and seeing flashes. While much of her memory of the experience is limited, she vividly recalls the fear she felt as she pounded on her mother's back, crying out, "Help me," before later waking up disoriented in an unfamiliar hospital.
Looking back, this was likely not Alissa's first seizure. Her mother recognized that something similar had happened before, though they had not understood what it was at the time. Following the incident and her competition, Alissa was officially diagnosed with epilepsy and began the journey of adapting to a life tailored to her diagnosis. Like many teenagers, she worried about how others would perceive her and felt embarrassed by her diagnosis, fearing that her friends and peers would see her differently. Despite those fears, her diagnosis marked the beginning of learning how to navigate epilepsy and regain confidence in herself.
Now forty-five years old, Alissa is officially two years seizure-free. She remains committed to managing her stress, staying active, and celebrating the small victories that come with each day.
Read the rest of Alissa's story by visiting: https://efneny.org/2026/07/26/july-1-in-26-alissa-diamond/
Do you have epilepsy and reside in one of the 22 counties of northeastern New York served by the Epilepsy Foundation of NENY? Would you like to share your story in our next 1 in 26 feature? Contact Gabby at [email protected]. Everyone has a story. Share yours!
