My name is Kaitlyn and I am from Santa Cruz, California. I am an incoming transfer student to UCLA studying Molecular, Cellular, & Developmental Biology. My main academic interest is in biomedical research, and I hope to start in a lab once I begin at UCLA this fall! Beyond my studies I am either kicking at my local martial arts studio or watching the latest movie in theaters.

I was diagnosed with FND less than a year ago, but have faced symptoms for about six years. My FND presents itself as non-epileptic seizures, and has led me to multiple hospital visits due to confusion and dismissal from various doctors. I am passionate about FND outreach as I want to help others find answers sooner than I did. Awareness is necessary not just for those facing symptoms, but for the medical community too. I hope the work I do at FND Courage can help contribute to the destigmatization of this disorder.