From Seizures to Storytelling: My Journey Through the Lens by matthew

From Seizures to Storytelling: My Journey Through the Lens by matthew - February 2025 Scholarship Essay

I was six years old when I experienced my first seizure. One moment, I was playing with my toys, and the next, everything went dark. From that day on, my life changed in ways I never could have imagined. Now, at 16 years old, epilepsy has been a constant challenge. At times, I’ve felt like a burden on my family, needing extra care and attention. The seizures, the medications, and having a nurse follow me around at school have made me feel different from my classmates. But over time, I’ve realized that my condition doesn’t define me. Instead, it has helped shape my passion for video editing.
School hasn’t always been easy. I’ve missed classes because of seizures, struggled with memory problems from medication, and had to work extra hard to keep up. My extracurricular options have also been limited as sports aren’t always safe for me, and even something simple like a sleepover requires careful planning. While these challenges have been frustrating, they’ve also led me to discover an outlet that I truly love: video editing.
I first got into video editing as a way to pass the time when I couldn’t do other activities. My first video edit was of me and my brothers playing video games, and it was terrible. The cuts were choppy, the audio was out of sync, and the effects were all over the place. But I had so much fun making it that I wanted to improve. I started messing around with editing software, learning how to cut and arrange clips, add effects, and create something new from raw footage. What started as a hobby quickly became a passion. I began editing videos for school projects, making highlight reels for the football team, and even creating content for online communities. I love how video editing allows me to tell stories, express emotions, and bring ideas to life in a way that words alone can’t.
One person who has been by my side through all of this is my nurse, Ms. Christine. We’ve gotten to know each other well over the years. She can tell when I’m not feeling well and when I’m having a good day. In many ways, she’s like a second mom, always looking out for me and making sure I’m okay. Her support has made dealing with epilepsy a little easier, and I’m grateful to have someone who understands what I go through every day.
My condition has also placed extra responsibility on my brothers. When I’m home, they take on the role of watching over me, making sure I’m safe in case something happens. It’s not always fair to them, and I know it can be a lot to handle, but their support means everything to me. Even though they don’t always say it, I know they worry about me just as much as my parents do. In many ways, epilepsy has strengthened our bond, showing me how much they truly care.
In school, I gravitate toward creative subjects like English and digital media. I enjoy storytelling and finding ways to connect with people through visuals and sound. I’ve realized that video editing is more than just a hobby. it’s something I want to pursue as a career. Whether working in film production, content creation, or digital media, I know that this is what I want to do in the future.
Epilepsy has made life more difficult, but it has also pushed me to find new ways to express myself. Instead of seeing my condition as something that holds me back, I now view it as part of what drives me forward. My passion for video editing grew from the challenges I’ve faced, and it continues to inspire me every day. No matter what obstacles come my way, I know I can turn them into opportunities for creativity and growth. This journey has taught me resilience, perseverance, and the power of storytelling which are all lessons I will carry with me into college and beyond.