Ashley Stewart Herald Writer
Megan Morales is a senior at AIM High School in Snohomish. She is on track to graduate a semester early this year, despite a medical condition that causes frequent seizures.
Question: So I hear you’ll be graduating with extra credits soon. Are you excited?
Answer: Yes, I’ve always wanted to study abroad, but I’ve had to stay home because of my seizures. I’m graduating a semester early, but I’ll have to go back to graduate with my class.
Q: What happens when you have a seizure?
A: I just get really dizzy and I don’t really remember what happened. Sometimes I can’t talk and everything goes blank. I forget some of what I learn and have to go back, but my school helps me and so does my mom.
Q: How do you get through it?
A: I just keep going. I focus on one thing at a time and then I’m done. I also read this quote online on “Together we can change the way the world sees and understands epilepsy,” and I think about it and it helps me get through it.
Q: I hear you have a seizure alert dog. Tell me about her.
A: We got her when she was 6 weeks old and she hasn’t left my side since. Her name is Katie, she’s a 6-year-old “domeranian,” half-Pomeranian, half-dachshund.
Q: What are your plans after graduation?
A: I want to do People to People, it’s a study-abroad vacation. I want to go on the Celtic Adventure, you go to Wales, Britain, Scotland and Ireland for three weeks to see castles and study literature.
After that, I want to go to school to be an EMT. I want to help people and I’ve been interested in it since I watched (the television show) “House.”
I would also like to work at the movie theater when I’m better. I want to smell like popcorn.
Q: What do you think about your school?
A: I like that my teachers help me. They don’t treat me like I’m stupid, they understand and don’t shy away when I have a seizure.
Q: I hear you’re also passionate about reading. What are your favorite books?
A: I’ve read since I was little. It began with Harry Potter and just kind of went off from there. I have a ton of books. I like to write more now though.
Q: What do you like to write about?
A: Fantasy fiction, mostly Star Trek and Lord of the Rings. I don’t like Twilight anymore because I read the fifth book and I got grossed out. I send them to publication companies. I’ve got a lot of rejection letters, but I’m going to keep trying. I put them online, too.
Ashley Stewart: 425-339-3037; astewart@heraldnet.com.
