neurology-2017-scientifictracks-abstracts

29 / 34

Page 71
Notes:
conferenceseries.com
Volume 8, Issue 2 (Suppl) J Neurol Neurophysiol
ISSN: 2155-9562 JNN, an open access journal Neurology 2017
March 27-29, 2017
March 27-29, 2017 Madrid, Spain
11th World Congress on
Neurology and Therapeutics
Ann Marie Gillie, J Neurol Neurophysiol 2017, 8:2 (Suppl)
A voice for epilepsy
Ann Marie Gillie
Epilepsy Advocate, Canada
Being diagnosed with epilepsy at the age of two and half years definitely created several obstacles for myself and my family, but
being stubborn as well as positive individual that I am, I was able to get through it. I actually beat Epilepsy. On December 03, 2002
my life was changed forever when I underwent neurosurgery at University of Alberta Hospital in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. My
surgery was called Left Selective Amygdalohippocampectomy and the procedure was a 100% success. I had six grand mal seizures
two days before my surgery and never imagined that those would be my last. I have been off all medications now for over 11 years and
that too is an amazing accomplishment and feeling. My history with Epilepsy was like a roller coaster, on meds, off meds, side effects,
seizures, no seizures; it was a never ending series of hurtles, but I stayed focused and survived it. I was never in special need classes, I
played sports and told that I have an infectious personality, so I am regularly told. Since my surgery in 2002, I have accomplished some
amazing tasks and ones I thought would never have been possible. I have published two books have had several articles published
in papers and magazines, as well as international medical sites like SNI (Surgical Neurology International) and CURE. My number
one goal is to educate others around the world, but not from a professional side of things but from someone that has lived it and that
understands the obstacles others go through that live with Epilepsy. From my understanding, there are not a lot of individuals that
speak on the topic of Epilepsy, locally or internationally and I want to change that. I have been a people’s person for my whole life and
I feel that there was a reason I am here today speaking about my story. Epilepsy needs to be talked about and I am the one to do that.
I want to be that Voice for Epilepsy.
Biography
Ann Marie Gillie works as an Education Assistant for Parkland County School Division in Alberta, Canada, where her role is working primarily with students who
suffer from ADHD/ADD/ ODD and other behavioral disorders. She was asked in 2012 to be a Canadian Advocate for Epilepsy and with her passion and drive for
motivating others; she has taken the role to speak internationally. She is also a Published Author (If Walls Could Talk and Let's Talk about Epilepsy) and has had
several articles published in regards to her personal experience with Epilepsy and Surgery. Her topics of discussion at conferences and seminars are: Left Selective
Amygdalhippocampectomy, Women and Epilepsy, Sex & Seizures. She is passionate about helping those that struggle with the disorder and her goal is to help
others internationally, both professionals in the field and those living with the disorder.