My name is Shawn Bakken and I have epilepsy.
My epileptologist told me long ago that brain surgery was an option for treating my seizures. I agreed that it was an option, but I wanted to exhaust my medication options first.
Many years and many medications later, here we are.
As I’ve continued taking steps in that direction, I’ve realized that for most people, the concept of brain surgery is just that: a concept. (I’ve had minimum exposure to it myself and I was diagnosed with epilepsy 25 years ago.)
Then I thought that I could make it more than just a concept. I could be a way that people could learn more about it. I could bring people with me on my journey.
However, to be a representative of people who have had brain surgery, for me to be “the face of brain surgery,” if you will… you kinda need to see my face.
My name is Shawn Bakken, I have epilepsy, and I will be having brain surgery. Let’s travel this journey together, shall we?
UPDATE on 10/22/25: My name is Shawn Bakken, I have epilepsy, and I have now had brain surgery. It’s just one of many steps in this lifelong journey—let’s continue to travel it together, shall we?