Bend, OR – Grant Myers, a student at Bend Technical Academy, is set to represent Oregon at the Epilepsy Foundation’s Teens Speak Up! conference in Washington, D.C. this month. The biennial event brings together young advocates from across the country to share their personal experiences with epilepsy and push for improvements in healthcare, funding, and support for those living with the condition.

Diagnosed with epilepsy as a toddler, Grant, now nearly 16, has faced challenges throughout his life, including impacts on his speech, writing, and daily activities. Despite these obstacles, Grant is eager to use his voice to raise awareness and advocate for better policies and resources for people with epilepsy.

“My goal is to push for policies and fundraising to support people with epilepsy nationwide,” Grant said.

Grant’s father, Ned Myers, is proud of the progress his son has made over the years. “Grant started having seizures when he was around two years old. We’ve lived with seizures for a long time, and to see him overcome so much is incredible,” Ned explained. “This opportunity is a huge step for him.”

The conference offers Grant the chance to connect with other teens who share his experiences. He expressed excitement at the prospect of meeting others who understand what it’s like to live with epilepsy. “I’m excited about meeting people with my own condition from around the nation,” he said.

Ned Myers hopes that Grant’s participation in the event will help shift public perceptions of epilepsy. “Epilepsy is not scary. It’s just something that happens,” he said. “We can be supportive and help kids when they have seizures.”

For Grant, being selected to represent Oregon is an honor. “There were a lot of people in Oregon who could have been chosen, but I was selected, and that really means a lot,” he said.

Both Grant and Ned believe that this experience will have a lasting impact not only on Grant but also on the local community. “Having Grant return with a better understanding of how policy works, along with his personal story and the skills he’ll gain, will be valuable for the community,” Ned added.

After the conference, Grant plans to dedicate community service hours toward advocating for more funding for epilepsy-related initiatives in Central Oregon. His work is expected to help further raise awareness and provide support for individu