FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
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[City, State] – [Date, e.g., June 15, 2026] – Epilepsy Alliance America (EAA) proudly announces the selection of 26 exceptional students as recipients of the 2026-2027 Lorna Myers PNES Scholarship Fund. This vital program recognizes and supports students across the United States who are navigating higher education while living with psychogenic non-epileptic seizures (PNES), a complex neurological condition often misunderstood and misdiagnosed. The announcement marks a significant step forward in acknowledging the unique challenges faced by these students and empowering them to pursue their academic and personal aspirations.
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Main Facts: A Beacon of Support for 26 Inspiring Students
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The 2026-2027 academic year will see 26 deserving students benefit from the Lorna Myers PNES Scholarship Fund. These scholarships are a testament to the resilience, determination, and unwavering commitment to educational advancement demonstrated by individuals living with PNES. Epilepsy Alliance America, in its role as administrator, has highlighted the diverse and inspiring nature of this year’s cohort, emphasizing that while each individual’s journey with PNES is distinct, they are united by a profound strength: the ability to overcome significant challenges and forge ahead toward a brighter, more fulfilling future.
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The scholarship awards, ranging from $600 to $1,000, are designed to provide meaningful financial assistance, directly addressing the often-overlooked ancillary costs of higher education beyond tuition. These funds can be allocated towards tuition fees, housing expenses, or essential technological resources required for coursework, offering crucial flexibility to students. This targeted support aims to alleviate some of the financial burdens that can exacerbate the stress of managing a chronic condition while pursuing demanding academic goals.
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Chronology: The Genesis and Growth of a Transformative Fund
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The Lorna Myers PNES Scholarship Fund stands as a testament to the vision and generosity of Dr. Lorna Myers, a distinguished expert in the field of PNES. The fund was meticulously established to provide dedicated support to students diagnosed with PNES who aspire to achieve higher education. Its unique funding model is rooted in Dr. Myers’ commitment to the community she serves: she generously donates the royalties from her extensive work and publications to sustain the scholarships each year. This philanthropic endeavor ensures the continuity and expansion of the program, directly transforming academic achievements into tangible support for students.
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Since its inception, the scholarship program, expertly managed by Epilepsy Alliance America, has steadily grown in its reach and impact. What began as a pioneering initiative has evolved into a nationwide resource, reflecting both the increasing prevalence of PNES and a growing awareness of its complexities within healthcare and educational systems. The sustained commitment from Dr. Myers and the robust administrative framework provided by EAA have allowed the fund to support a burgeoning number of students annually, fostering a vital community of individuals who might otherwise feel isolated in their educational pursuits. The program’s consistent growth underscores a critical need that continues to expand, mirroring the rising understanding and diagnosis rates of PNES across the country.
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Supporting Data: A Diverse Cohort Paving New Paths
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The 26 recipients for the 2026-2027 academic year represent a remarkable cross-section of the United States, underscoring the nationwide prevalence of PNES and the scholarship fund’s expansive reach. Students hail from a wide array of communities across New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Kentucky, Maryland, Connecticut, Texas, North Carolina, Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee, Colorado, Arizona, Idaho, Oregon, California, Minnesota, and Montana. This broad geographic representation not only highlights the national footprint of the program but also signals a positive trend towards greater recognition and understanding of PNES within diverse healthcare and education landscapes across the country.
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The academic aspirations of these scholars are as varied as their geographic origins. They are pursuing a wide spectrum of post-secondary educational opportunities, demonstrating the inclusive nature of the scholarship and the diverse talents within the PNES community. Recipients are enrolled in programs ranging from demanding STEM fields such as computer science, engineering, and biological sciences, to essential healthcare professions like nursing and medical assisting, and expansive liberal arts disciplines including history, literature, and psychology. Vocational training programs are also represented, providing pathways to skilled trades and technical careers. This rich tapestry of academic pursuits reflects the individual passions and career goals of students living with PNES, defying any single stereotype and emphasizing their integral role in all sectors of society.
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The institutions these students attend are equally diverse, encompassing both large public universities that offer extensive resources and smaller private colleges known for their intimate learning environments. This flexibility in institutional choice ensures that students can select the educational setting best suited to their individual learning styles, support needs, and academic objectives, rather than being limited by financial constraints. The majority of recipients are enrolled full-time, demonstrating their profound dedication to accelerated learning and degree completion. A smaller but significant number are attending part-time, reflecting the program’s vital flexibility in supporting students at different stages of their educational journeys, acknowledging that managing PNES often requires adaptable academic schedules.
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Understanding Psychogenic Non-Epileptic Seizures (PNES)
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To fully appreciate the significance of this scholarship, it is crucial to understand PNES. Psychogenic non-epileptic seizures are episodes that resemble epileptic seizures but are not caused by abnormal electrical activity in the brain. Instead, they are typically a manifestation of psychological distress, often stemming from trauma, anxiety, depression, or other mental health conditions. While not epileptic, the episodes are involuntary and very real, causing significant disruption to a person’s life.
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Individuals with PNES often face a complex diagnostic journey, sometimes enduring years of misdiagnosis and ineffective treatments before receiving an accurate diagnosis. This delay can lead to profound emotional distress, stigma, and a sense of invalidation. The challenges extend beyond diagnosis, impacting daily life, social interactions, employment, and crucially, educational attainment. Students with PNES may struggle with unpredictable episodes, fatigue, memory issues, and the emotional toll of their condition, making the rigorous demands of higher education even more daunting. The Lorna Myers PNES Scholarship directly addresses these multifaceted challenges by providing not just financial aid, but also validation and recognition of their unique struggles and triumphs.
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Official Responses: Voices of Hope and Commitment
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The successful continuation and expansion of the Lorna Myers PNES Scholarship Fund are met with profound enthusiasm by the leadership of Epilepsy Alliance America and Dr. Lorna Myers herself. Their statements underscore the program’s deep impact and future potential.
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"We are incredibly proud to announce the 2026-2027 Lorna Myers PNES Scholarship recipients," stated a representative from Epilepsy Alliance America. "These 26 students embody the spirit of resilience and dedication that defines our mission. Living with PNES presents unique hurdles, especially within the demanding environment of higher education. This scholarship is more than financial assistance; it’s an affirmation of their capabilities and a crucial investment in their futures. We are immensely grateful to Dr. Myers for her unwavering generosity and vision, which makes this vital program possible year after year."
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Dr. Lorna Myers, whose philanthropic contributions fuel the fund, expressed her profound satisfaction with the program’s impact. "It is truly humbling to witness the growing number of extraordinary students who benefit from this scholarship," Dr. Myers remarked. "My goal in establishing this fund was to alleviate some of the burdens faced by individuals with PNES as they pursue their educational dreams. To see these royalties directly translate into opportunities for such talented and determined young people is incredibly rewarding. Their success is a powerful testament to the fact that a PNES diagnosis does not define one’s potential or limit their aspirations."
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The rigorous and competitive selection process is overseen by a distinguished committee chaired by Patricia Gibson, MSSW DHL ACSW. Gibson highlighted the exceptional quality of applicants. "Each year, we receive an overwhelming number of applications from highly qualified and inspiring students," Gibson explained. "The selection process is thoughtful and comprehensive, considering not only financial need and academic achievement but also the personal essays that reveal their immense courage and clear commitment to their future goals. Our committee, comprised of national experts in PNES, is continually moved by the strength and ambition demonstrated by these young individuals."
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Beyond the official statements, the voices of the recipients themselves resonate with gratitude and renewed purpose. While individual quotes are not provided in the original article, the collective sentiment is clear: the scholarship provides a profound sense of validation. As one hypothetical recipient might express, "This scholarship isn’t just about covering tuition; it’s about knowing that my struggles with PNES are seen and understood. It gives me the confidence and the belief that I can achieve my academic dreams, despite the challenges." This sentiment encapsulates the broader impact of the program, extending far beyond monetary value.
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Implications: Building Community, Raising Awareness, and Fostering Future Growth
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The Lorna Myers PNES Scholarship Fund extends its impact far beyond mere financial aid, creating profound implications for both the individual recipients and the broader PNES community.
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More Than a Scholarship: A Foundation for Community and Validation
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One of the most significant implications of the program is its ability to foster a crucial sense of connection and community among individuals who often feel isolated. Many recipients share powerful testimonials that the program provides not only essential assistance for their education but, perhaps more importantly, validation and encouragement as they navigate life with PNES. This validation is a powerful antidote to the stigma and misunderstanding often associated with the condition. Through ongoing engagement initiatives, including virtual gatherings and outreach opportunities, recipients are connected with peers who genuinely understand their experiences. For many, this marks the first time they have encountered others facing similar challenges, transforming a solitary struggle into a shared journey of support and empowerment. This community building is invaluable for mental well-being and long-term success.
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Elevating Awareness and Understanding
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The scholarship program plays a critical role in elevating awareness of PNES within both the academic and medical communities. By spotlighting students successfully pursuing higher education despite their diagnosis, the program challenges misconceptions and promotes a more nuanced understanding of the condition. This increased visibility contributes to greater recognition of PNES across healthcare and education systems, potentially leading to earlier and more accurate diagnoses, improved support services, and a more inclusive environment for individuals with PNES. The geographic diversity of the recipients further amplifies this awareness, spreading understanding across a multitude of states and local communities.
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The Growing Need and the Call for Community Support
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As the number of qualified applicants continues to grow each year, a critical implication arises: the escalating need for additional funding. The Lorna Myers PNES Scholarship Fund is a beacon of hope, but its capacity to support deserving students is directly tied to available resources. Epilepsy Alliance America remains steadfast in its commitment to expanding the fund, striving to ensure that more students can receive this invaluable support in the future.
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Community support plays an absolutely critical role in making this expansion possible. Every contribution, no matter the size, helps to ensure that individuals living with PNES have equitable access to the educational opportunities they so rightfully deserve. The long-term implications of this support are far-reaching: investing in these students means investing in future professionals, leaders, and advocates who can, in turn, contribute positively to society and further champion understanding of PNES.
A Brighter Future for Individuals with PNES
Ultimately, the Lorna Myers PNES Scholarship Fund represents a powerful commitment to fostering a brighter future for individuals with psychogenic non-epileptic seizures. By removing financial barriers and building a supportive community, the program empowers students not only to achieve their academic goals but also to thrive personally and professionally. It sends a clear message that a diagnosis of PNES does not diminish potential; rather, with the right support, these individuals can achieve extraordinary things, enriching their own lives and contributing meaningfully to the world around them.
For those interested in making a gift to support the Lorna Myers PNES Scholarship Fund and help more students realize their educational dreams, contributions can be made directly through the Epilepsy Alliance America website at https://epilepsyallianceamerica.org/donate-2/. Your generosity can help transform lives and build a more inclusive educational landscape for students living with PNES.
