Hi, I'm Kurtis Ashton,
As an individual who has experienced epilepsy since ten months old, I use my epilepsy as fuel to my fire of motivation and influence. Throughout my journey I have experienced multiple types of seizures, be it simple-partial, complex-partial, tonic-clonic, and many more. While many people are easily treated by prescriptions or solutions like the keto diet, my case was slightly different. It was not until 2012 that I received my first vagus nerve stimulator (VNS), a device that brought my seizures from five to forty-five minutes (Off and on) down to thirty seconds to two minutes. While the treatment was helpful, it didn't fully cease my seizures as we truly needed. Then in 2014, Dr. David M. Ficker MD, Dr. George Mandybur MD , and their teams at Mayfield Health Clinic and University of Cincinnati Health changed my life forever with a successful brain surgery!
After a speedy recovery one year later, I took off full speed ahead, earning my driver's license in 2015, completing my first official IT Vocational School Program (Per Scholas) in 2017, successfully graduated as Magna Cum Laude with honors and my Associate's degree at Ivy Tech Community College in 2023, and only continue to Purdue Global in Fall of 2024 for my bachelor's degree that will be complete by the end of 2025! My professional and bachelor's degree focus continues to be Cybersecurity & Information Assurance, the industry and career I always wanted! As of this writing, I enjoy my career as an Information Security Analyst II with General Electric Credit Union and only continue to obtain professional certifications, all while being an active influence on members of my family and those within my community!
As a motivational speaker, I encourage everyone to never allow the fear or tyranny of life's challenges to dictate their futures, as we each have a purpose in this world. In my case, my story was written to motivate, influence, and persevere as an example to help build the epilepsy community. By joining or donating to the Ashbash Team and the 5k clause, you are helping other individuals like me who are motivated, ambitious, persevering, and consistent about building themselves and those around them. Thanks again to all members of the epilepsy alliance for running this program, and I look forward to crossing the finish line of the race with my family and friends.
All the best,
Kurtis Ashton, CISSP, Security+
Thank you for supporting the efforts of the Epilepsy Alliance Ohio by fundraising through our Emerald Miles 5K. The support gathered from this event allows us to provide many services to the community and impact the lives of thousands of people with epilepsy. Your support is greatly appreciated. If the Epilepsy Alliance can be of service to you as you help out, please call our office at (513)721-2905 or email, pdeaton@epilepsy-ohio.org. Thanks!!!!!!!
