Sasha Pina lives in Las Vegas, Nevada USA and is 22 years old. Sasha was diagnosed with Epilepsy in 2011 a year after a traumatic brain injury.
She was diagnosed with complex partial, simple partial, and nocturnal seizures and also has auras before her seizures. She will sometimes only have auras with no seizure afterwards. Sasha can have seizure activity anywhere on my left temporal, occipital, and frontal lobe.
The longest Sasha has gone seizure free was 10 months and 4 weeks. She says “The seizure monster always tends to come when things are going great. Around that time I was having tons of breakthrough seizures. I was already trying my 5th medication at that time. Altogether I have tried 6 different medications along with a rescue medication. My seizures were happening more frequently and the auras wouldn’t stop coming. We decided early this year that we needed to get a second opinion in order for me to start living a better life and to start lifting my quality of life. We decided that VNS therapy would be the best option on top of the 6 pills I take altogether.”
On February 18, 2016 Sasha had VNS surgery. She has since had only one noticeable seizure but does have seizure activity in her sleep and continues to have auras.
“We are hoping one day I will be able to be more independent with some stuff, take absolutely no medications, and finally be able to drive. Having VNS surgery has been the best decision we have ever made. I am currently about to finish college for CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant), I am an ambassador for the Danny Did Foundation, VNS therapy ambassador, and the special project coordinator for the Epilepsy Foundation of Nevada.”
Ever since her diagnosis it has been Sasha’s mission to spread epilepsy and SUDEP awareness no matter where and what she is doing. She says “Epilepsy won’t stop me from thriving!”