Kyndel’s Story
When Kyndel talks about her art, you can see the sparkle in her eyes. Her shyness transforms into humble confidence. Her paintings uncover colorful worlds that continue to evolve. And so did she.
Diagnosed with epilepsy at the age of two, Kyndel’s life was far from ordinary. “It all started with a little twitching eye. It wasn’t fully developed yet, but as I grew older, it affected my whole body. I lost control of it more often,” Kyndel recalls her earliest memories. Her seizures could happen anywhere, at any time. What made a difference, she says, was the support she received from her family and friends.
It was a challenge for her and those around her. “People didn’t know how to deal with it. My parents were wondering, “How will we take care of this? What’s the next step?” But as I grew older, they became more consistent. I couldn’t sleep, and sometimes I couldn’t take my medicine,” she remembers. She was “constantly in the hospital” and describes her childhood as “always crazy.”
Trying one medication after another without success was not what her family had hoped for. It took time, but Kyndel finally found what she calls her “miracle medication,” which helps keep her seizures under control.
Growing up with epilepsy made Kyndel feel less confident, but she didn’t let that stop her. She is an artist and has always used art as an outlet. From a very young age, she enjoyed experimenting with acrylic paints, a passion she shares with her grandmother. Kyndel wants to make a difference in her community through her art.
“I want to be a professional artist, but I also want to be an advocate for people like me who have epilepsy.”
Kyndel
Her art empowers her to express her experiences with epilepsy in unique ways, and she hopes to help others overcome their challenges.
She plans to combine her passions for art and advocacy. This is exactly why she participates in the Bobby Dodd Institute’s Ambassador Program. In this eight-week class, Kyndel has learned essential skills to become a strong self-advocate. She and her fellow ambassadors learn how to talk about their disabilities, communicate and negotiate effectively, and learn important laws. The Ambassador Program has been the perfect opportunity for Kyndel, a major step forward for her.
