WICHITA, Kansas, June 27, 2008 – Three million Americans suffer from epilepsy and many of those are children.

While there is still no cure for the condition, a young Kansas girl has begun a crusade to help others learn more about it.

“It's like no one really likes you, and don't want to be around you,” said Libby Heflin.

Looking at her you wouldn’t think anything was wrong, but without warning, frequent epileptic seizures could stop her in her tracks.

“Most of the time she seems perfectly normal, but she'll have a day where she's having a hard time because of where the seizures are effecting her,” said Libby’s mother, Lena.

Seizures are like short circuits in brain cells. For those who have epilepsy, those seizures are unprovoked. Sometimes you won’t notice one happening at all. But in the worst cases, they can be debilitating and sometimes deadly.

Historically, research of epilepsy has been under-funded. It becomes clear when the condition is compared with other diseases, many which affect fewer people.

The numbers were enough for Libby and her mom to take their fight to Washington D.C.

While parents demanded more research funding the kids went in and told their stories. Among those Libby told her story to was Kansas Congressman Todd Tiahrt.

She’s hoping for big changes in the future, but once she gets home she’s starting with a small one. She says despite her epilepsy, she wants other kids to know she’s just like them.

Along with funding, Libby and her mom also pushed Congress to restore the Americans with Disabilities Act, which the House passed on Wednesday.

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