Epilepsy Foundation honors area legislator

The Epilepsy Foundation of Chicago has named State Rep. Terri Bryant, R-Murphysboro, as the 2020 recipient of The Inspirational Commitment Hero Award.

The foundation said Bryant was honored because of her work in the Illinois House on behalf of individuals living with epilepsy. 

Bryant was scheduled to receive the honor at a Hero’s Gala event which was planned Feb. 29.

Bryant has been a state representative since 2015. Last year, she was the chief sponsor of the Seizure Smart Schools Act.

The legislation was initiated by the Epilepsy Foundation of Greater Chicago and signed into law last summer by Gov. JB Pritzker.

The law requires all Illinois public school employees to be trained in seizure recognition and requires parents or guardians of children with epilepsy to submit a seizure action plan with the school. 

Bryant’s husband Rick has lived with a seizure disorder for most of his life.

“While Rick was in school he struggled with the stigma associated with seizures,” Bryant said. 

“Rick struggled not because of a mean spirit of those in his school, but because people were not educated as far as how to handle someone experiencing a seizure.”

Bryant says she is honored to receive the 2020 Inspirational Commitment Hero Award.

She thanked the Epilepsy Foundation of Greater Chicago for recognizing the importance of the Seizure Smart School Act.

“Thank you to the Epilepsy Foundation of Greater Chicago for this award. I feel honored and humbled,” Bryant said.

 “I am proud to partner with an organization that advocates to make a positive difference in the lives of people suffering with seizure disorders and I plan to continue to represent the interests of children and adults that live with epilepsy and other seizure disorders as long as I have the opportunity to make a difference.”