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Personally this day had a very special effect on me. I have been a member of the New Jersey affiliate for about five years now. My favorite part of this foundation is the mentoring program that led me to the organization and inspired me to become a member. When I was first diagnosed with Epilepsy I was so tired of talking to doctors and professionals about it. I felt like I could spit out every fact and statistic about Epilepsy and all I wanted to do was talk to somebody who knew what I was feeling and could support me as a peer, simply because I needed a friend and not a professional. Nicole, a member of the national foundation, was my mentor and completely changed my life when I met her. She still may not know it, but her informal support and sincerity changed my view on Epilepsy and helped me to discover that what I was going through was okay and, above all else, that I was not alone. Since I have joined the foundation I have been a mentor and have been mentoring a specific peer for four years. We have talked via e-mail and
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At our 3rd annual event I happened to meet two different girls around my age who wanted to exchange stories. After talking for a bit I ended up leaving with two more mentees. We have been talking for the past month and I am so excited experience a new and different journey with both of them… and the coolest part is that I already met them face to face, which has made me so anxious to see how both of my relationships will unfold and grow in the upcoming months.