I
am so happy I was able to get a follow-up interview with Connor. He first came
to my attention (and millions of others) when he made it to the top 12 of America’s Got Talent! His
indoor kite-flying talents and endurance in fighting his epilepsy and dealing
with being bullied made all of us admire and root for this kid.
 |
| Connor Doran Indoor Kite Flying |
Imagine
my delight when I went out on a limb and asked him to participate in the 2012
Epilepsy Awareness Month interviews and he said yes! I was honored and
impressed that the fame hadn’t gone to his head and he was willing to talk to
some lady from Sacramento with a blog in order to help spread epilepsy
awareness.
Connor
is as busy as ever but took time to tell me what he has been up to the last
four years and to share his life with epilepsy.
Robert’s
Sister: I am curious what changes have occurred in the
last four years. Please remind us how epilepsy
has affected your life.
My
name is Connor Doran and I have Epilepsy. I have been seizure free for the past
8 years; however, my girlfriend has seizures on a weekly basis so it is very
scary for me to watch her have a seizure. I don’t have a lot of experience
taking care of someone else when they are having a seizure but I am beginning
to learn how to deal with someone else when they have seizures. I hope to get
my first aid card.
Robert’s Sister:
What is the most significant change in your life since our last interview?
Since
the last time we talked I have moved to Seattle, Washington and I graduated
from South Puget Sound Community College with my Associate of Arts degree. I
hope to attend the University of Puget Sound in order to get my BA in Sociology
so I can help other people who struggle with the same problems and are facing
the same kind of discrimination that have happened to me. I have also met the
love of my life who I hope to marry.
 |
| Connor and the love of his life |
Robert’s Sister:
Has the treatment changed for you or your loved one?
Treatment
has not changed for me. My girlfriend who has Epilepsy as well just got a
seizure dog back in June and we are hoping that her seizure dog will help keep
her from falling and hurting herself whenever she has a seizure.
Robert’s Sister:
What sort of cognitive, intellectual,
emotional or physical changes have you noticed these last four years?
My
cognitive, intellectual and emotional abilities have not changed since we last
talked. I have built up a lot more muscle mass because I work out a lot. I say
this because you can be the strongest person or smartest person in the world no
matter who you are.
Robert’s Sister:
What caregiving help do you use?
I
am lucky enough not to need any caregiving help. I have a Smartwatch
that detects if I am going to have a seizure and lets my family and friends
know where I am if I have a seizure. The Smartwatch allows me to be very
independent.
Robert’s Sister:
Do you think your life with epilepsy has improved, stayed the same or become
worse these last four years? Can you tell us why you think so?
Living
with Epilepsy has stayed the same for me. It has not gotten worse and it has
not gotten better. All I know is that it has given me obstacles to achieve what
I want to achieve in life but that doesn’t stop me from achieving my goals and
dreams and starting a life that I want. Remember you may have Epilepsy but
Epilepsy doesn’t have you.
Robert’s
Sister: What has been your favorite moment
these last four years?
My
favorite moment was when I graduated from college back in June. Because it gave
me confidence that if I can graduate college with Epilepsy induced Anxiety than
I can do whatever I want in life regardless of Epilepsy.
Robert’s Sister:
What do you see for yourself in the next four years?
My
dream is for my girlfriend to move Seattle with me so we can get married and
spend the rest of our lives at a luxurious house right on the Puget Sound and
live happily ever after.
Robert’s
Sister: Is there anything else you want
to say?
Just
remember, you may have Epilepsy but Epilepsy does not have you. If you can
dream it you can do it.
Robert’s
Sister: Please tell us how we can
contact any organizations you support or if you have a website or business.
My
email is connordorankite@gmail.com
and my website is http://connordoran.com/.
Oh this update
makes me so happy! Congratulations, Connor, on graduating with your AA and for
finding the love of your life! Thank you for sharing how much can be done, even
after having been bullied, having epilepsy and overcoming all kinds of
obstacles.
You are an
inspiration!
May all your
dreams come true!
Trish
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