Lauren C.
In December 2020, I graduated from The University of Texas at Dallas with a Bachelor of Science in Speech - Language Pathology and Audiology, and a Bachelor of Science in Child Development. Speech pathology is something that I have been interested in since high school. Epilepsy created some unique challenges for me as I went through college. There was a nine - month period during college when my doctors got very aggressive with my medications, and I was on four different seizure medications that were meant to slow my brain activity. This affected my memory and made it hard for me to memorize and remember things. I actually went to speech therapy during that time to help me recall words and speak the words that I wanted to say. This is when I realized just how much a speech language pathologist (SLP) can do. SLPs help people of all ages with communication, swallowing, and hearing disorders, and they can change anyone’s life. This experience increased my desire to pursue my master’s degree in speech pathology. In May 2023, I graduated from Abilene Christian University’s Master of Science in Speech - Language Pathology program. In 2023, I got married to my husband who I started dating the summer after I graduated high school. I work for Dallas Independent School District as a speech therapist.
Golf has been an important part of my life for the past fifteen years. I played varsity golf all four years in high school. Playing for hours in the Texas heat frequently led to seizures during tournaments, but most times I was allowed to recover and continue. This occurred during my junior year on day two of the TAPPS State Championship, but I continued on to finish 6th place All State. I continued to play golf for a period of time in college at The University of Texas at Dallas. In my college debut tournament, I finished 7th out of 48 girls. I had seizures on the course both days and chose to play on. Playing golf helped me develop perseverance and determination, both of which are also important when dealing with epilepsy. When you have a bad hole, you have to look past it and try to succeed on the next one.
Having multiple health issues has increased my empathy for others experiencing struggles. This inspires me to be very active in community service. I have volunteered at Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children in several capacities and have also been an active volunteer in other golf organizations where I taught other children the basics of golf. I participate in the Dallas Walk to End Epilepsy raising money and awareness for epilepsy. I also volunteer with the Ryan Siddique Memorial Scholarship Golf Tournament, raising awareness for epilepsy by speaking to group of 120 golfers at lunch after the annual tournament.
I am thankful for receiving the 2018 UCB Family Epilepsy Scholarship. Not only has it helped me along my journey to realizing my dream of becoming a Speech - Language Pathologist, but it also recognizes my success in overcoming the struggles and obstacles that I have faced in dealing with epilepsy.