Alexandria City Council adopts youth-written proclamation recognizing November as Epilepsy Awareness Month
Teen with epilepsy writes and presents proclamation to city council, highlighting need for public education and seizure first aid awareness
The Alexandria City Council unanimously approved a proclamation on Wednesday recognizing November 2025 as Epilepsy Awareness Month, marking the first time a young person has both written and presented a proclamation to the current council.
Sinead, a teenager with epilepsy and member of the national Team Speak Up Network, presented the proclamation alongside her mother to raise awareness about the neurological disorder affecting approximately 85,000 Virginians.
“I’m Sinead. I’m a person with epilepsy,” she told council members during the presentation.
The proclamation emphasizes that epilepsy is the fourth most common neurological disorder, with 1 in 26 people diagnosed within their lifetime. In Virginia, over 11,000 children live with the condition.
Councilman R. Kirk McPike read the proclamation, which describes Epilepsy Awareness Month as “a nationwide effort to raise awareness about epilepsy, seizures, and side effects, as well as ways to improve the lives of people affected by epilepsy through education, advocacy, research and connection.”
The document highlights key challenges facing people with epilepsy, including public misconceptions about seizures and appropriate first aid responses. According to the proclamation, 25% of the general public say they would be nervous around a person with epilepsy.
Vice Mayor Sarah Bagley praised Sinead’s advocacy and shared a personal connection to the issue.
“I don’t have epilepsy, but I have had a few syncope episodes,” Bagley said. “And you’re right, people sometimes freeze and are afraid to step in. And so I think it’s important that we make people feel more comfortable as to what to do and how to respond and not to freeze in those situations.”
The proclamation addresses discrimination issues, noting that despite protections in the Americans with Disabilities Act and related civil rights laws, people with epilepsy still encounter discrimination in employment, education and housing.
Mayor Alyia Gaskins noted it was the first proclamation presented and written by a young person before the vote.
“This is my first year as mayor and this is the first proclamation that has been presented by a young person and fully written by a young person as well,” Gaskins said. “So I thank you for reaching out, for advocating and for taking the leadership to educate both me and my colleagues as well on raising awareness as it relates to epilepsy.”
Councilman Canek Aguirre commended the youth advocacy. “I want to also say that we do value our youth voices here,” he said. “So thank you so much for bringing this forward.”
The proclamation encourages Alexandria residents to learn more about epilepsy during November and support organizations promoting epilepsy research, prevention, treatment, and a cure. It concludes by urging residents to “take action together so no one faces epilepsy alone.”
Bagley suggested that the city could find additional ways to acknowledge epilepsy awareness through other city commissions, such as the Public Health Commission and the Children and Families Commission.
The Team Speak Up Network, which Shanae represents, works nationally to educate communities about epilepsy and support individuals living with the condition.
