OUR HISTORY
This group was started by a wonderful woman who lost her son to epilepsy, and rather than let that cause her to crumble, she turned that energy into a group that has been in existence for more than 30 years in Albuquerque. This group is open to anyone with an interest in epilepsy, so family, friends, and even people just interested in learning more are welcome to attend. From that gro
up three people living with intractable epilepsy met at the local epilepsy support group, and discovered they had many of the same goals and ideas, and decided to organize further. Although the story about LAB is really fun – (The three people who founded this organization help to make up the name of our first organization: Louise, Audrey, and Bill); called themselves a “research group” because throughout their journey with epilepsy, they all felt like we are “doing research on themselves” – it has become very clear that people don’t fully connect with the old name and understand what they started. So to clarify the goals, they made the name change to coincide with our occupying office space in Albuquerque! We all still believe our neurologists are amazing physicians, but they don’t know what it is like to live WITH epilepsy. All other organizations work to cure epilepsy, and we hope to get there as well someday, but we believe that all of us with epilepsy still have a life to live while the cure is in the process of being found, so our focus became more one of Acceptance – learning to LIVE our lives WITH EPILEPSY as effectively, and positively as possible! It is our hope that we will be able to honor our friends and founding members through our continued work with epilepsy. Bill Emerson (1952-2010)
Bill was one of our founding members, who passed away in 2010 from SUDEP. He was the person behind most the art work for this organization, and had been featured in several print publications as well as several epilepsy specific websites. He was also a main business person in this organization and will be sorely missed. Autrey, MA, LPCC, NCC
Audrey is a Licensed Professional Clinical Mental Health Counselor. She grew up having seizures from a very early age and was even told that academic success would not be possible because of seizures. However, despite the incorrect message, she went back to school, and not only was accepted into college, but went on to earn a Master’s Degree! Louise Hagan
Louise is a retired Registered Nurse, who worked for many years at a local hospital despite having seizures throughout her career. She is now focused on community activities while still spreading the awareness on epilepsy education
OUR PEOPLE
Epilepsy Support & Education Services Inc. is still very much a grassroots organization with the Board members and volunteers doing the vast majority of the work. We occasional have fundraising projects but at this time we do not have a paid staff. We do this work out of our passion and desire to bring awareness of epilepsy to the public. Board Members:
Kris L. McNair- President
Kris was diagnosed with Epilepsy at the age of 4. Growing up with a family that was very accepting of her diagnosis Kris did not let much hold her back. She found out early that telling her friends about her Epilepsy helped them understand what to do when she did have a seizure. After graduating High School she went on to become a Baker and Bakery Manager for over 20 years. Kris changed careers several years back and now a Real Estate Broker with a flexible schedule so she is able to spend more time working with Epilepsy Support and Education Services. Kris originally came to support groups so she could actually believe that there were others like her with epilepsy and was delighted to meet all the people in the group understood what she goes through living with epilepsy. Sara Arajuo – Secretary
Sara joined after being a active member of the support group for over a year. She comes with an excellent background in neurosciences. She graduated Brown University with a masters degree in Public Health. She is a dedicated volunteer and we appreciate having her as a part of our board. Deb Carter – Board Member
Debra Carter continues her role as a Board Member with Epilepsy Support and Education Services she was originally the Treasure. She participates in Epilepsy Support Groups with guidance and support to other group members. Debra was 3-years old when her parents’ were given the news that their daughter had Epilepsy in the Occipital Lobe of the Brain. Debra is visually impaired and a survivor from Stage II Breast Cancer Debra graduated with her Master’s and Post Advanced Studies in Rehabilitation Counseling and Mental Health Counselor and obtained her Independent License for Mental Health, Clinical Certification as a Trauma Professional, she has Certification and is Licensed in Rehabilitation Counseling as a full-time with an organization working with substance abuse and severe mental illness. Debra’s passion is to help others in a positive way showing them that anything is possible. Debra has never seen herself as a person with a disability, but a person with ability and acceptance of self. Jon Vigil- Board Member
We met Jon Vigil when he became the representative for Liva-Nova the company that makes the VNS (Vegas Nerve Stimulator). He has introduced us to may of the doctors that we did not know and Liva-Nova has been a continued supporter of ESES for many years. We are very happy to have Jon as a member of our board. Isaac Taylor Wise- Board Member
Living in Las Cruces Isaac travels to Albuquerque for his doctor appointments. He heard of our groups and attended one Saturday and mentioned how he would like to have meetings in Las Cruces. Little did he know we had been wanting the same thing and even traveled to Las Cruces to see where we could have meetings. It was perfect timing, over a 12 month period two of the Albuquerque facilitators travel to Las Cruces to help train Isaac. It was a blessing that Isaac came to that Saturday meeting, he has grown the Las Cruces group from 3 members to over 20 members in the past two years. Tim May- Board Member
We met Tim when he contacted us about his work sponsoring our walk one year. Him and his family has attended the annual walk for several year along with many of his coworkers. we are happy that Tim has join the ESES team. Volunteers:
Erin Callan
If you are interested in becoming a Board member or volunteering for Epilepsy Support & education Services please email or call us. 505-243-9119 /[email protected]
