[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 21]
[House]
[Page 28026]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




     HONORING RYAN DILLON DURING NATIONAL EPILEPSY AWARENESS MONTH

  (Mrs. EMERSON asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Mrs. EMERSON. Mr. Speaker, I stand here today to tell you about Ryan 
Dillon, a remarkable young man from Missouri's Eighth Congressional 
District, which I represent.
  As a teenager, Ryan was highly active in school and clubs when, one 
day while brushing his teeth, his world went black. Ryan had had a 
seizure. Ryan went on to Westminster College in Fulton, Missouri, where 
he majored in political science. At Westminster, Ryan remained 
politically active, became vice president of the Student Government 
Association, and was elected Homecoming King during the fall of his 
senior year. All the while, he hid his epilepsy from his peers.
  Epilepsy is one of the most common disorders of the nervous system. 
It affects people of all ages, races, and ethnic backgrounds. More than 
3 million Americans of all ages are living with epilepsy, and every 
year, 200,000 Americans will develop seizures and epilepsy for the 
first time. Epilepsy can develop at any time of life, especially in 
early childhood and old age. It's a neurological condition that makes 
people susceptible to seizures.
  Ryan is now 25 and serves as a congressional aide. He hopes to use 
his experiences and influence to raise awareness. As November is 
designated National Epilepsy Awareness Month, I am honored to help Ryan 
promote his message for increased research, awareness, and education to 
openly work toward a cure.

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