05/26/2026
1 in 26 people will be diagnosed with epilepsy in their lifetime. Meet Hannah, this month's 1 in 26 featured Face of Epilepsy!
Hannah was diagnosed with epilepsy at the age of 25 and, in the two years since, she has refused to let it define her. Instead, she has reimagined her life with resilience, determination, and a strong commitment to advocating for herself and others.
Early on in her journey with epilepsy, Hannah struggled to return to her old life, often asking, “When will I feel better again?” Frustrated by not feeling heard by her care providers, she found a new neurologist who she felt truly listened to her, spending hours understanding her story and developing a care plan that best supported her needs. She shared the difficulty she had from going from living a rather “normal” life to having her life completely changed. Grieving the life she once lived and the idea of her future she once had. Things she was once able to do became much harder to do.
Hannah is currently seizure-free, working on continuing to rebuild a fulfilling life full of accomplishments, new experiences, and happy moments. Looking ahead, Hannah is focused on continuing to build a life where epilepsy does not limit her dreams while continuing to grow personally and professionally. She is committed to being a voice for epilepsy awareness and support, reminding others that while epilepsy can change your path, it does not define who you are.
Read the rest of Hannah's story by visiting https://efneny.org/2026/05/26/may-1-in-26-hannah-deetz/
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!