Child Voices

“Embarrassed. Worried. Angry.

I’m embarrassed about the things I’ve done.

I’m worried I’ll never be able to drink a beer [when older] because I’ll have a seizure.

I’m angry that I have epilepsy.”

— Matthew, age 11, Sydney, Australia

“I want to be a zoologist or paleontologist.

But sometimes I want to be a police officer or firefighter.”

— Ozzy,, age 7, United States

“When I started to lose my ability to speak and hear, it was as if the volume on the world was slowly being turned down until it was silent.

“I became a journalist because I’m passionate about telling stories that empower people who’ve suffered injustices. I know what it’s like to live in silence, so I want to break that silence for others.”

— Caroline, now 24, Texas, United States. Diagnosed with Landau-Kleffner-Syndrome at age 4

“Embarrassed. Worried. Angry.

I’m embarrassed about the things I’ve done.

I’m worried I’ll never be able to drink a beer [when older] because I’ll have a seizure.

I’m angry that I have epilepsy.”

— Matthew, age 11, Sydney, Australia