Junior Anbereen Ajina is a varsity tennis player with epilepsy. She has competed on the Dougherty Valley women’s tennis team for three years.
Ajina began having seizures when she was 15 years old and was officially diagnosed with epilepsy when she was 16. Her doctors are unsure what causes her seizures, but she sees a neurologist and receives medicine for her specific type of seizures. When she is playing tennis, she needs a safety plan in case she has a seizure. If this occurs, her teammates give her space and her coach, Erin Bennett, gives her medicine, and in case of an emergency, will call 911.
“The team and the coach know that I could have a seizure,” Ajina said. “I’ve had seizures on the court before.”
Ajina showing up to practice and games despite her condition is inspiring to all of her teammates. Varsity captain Yukta Akku has watched her improve over the past three seasons, and is inspired by her dedication.
“[Her perseverance] inspires me to always try to be better and do my best,” Akku said.
Ajina began playing tennis when she was in sixth grade. She was inspired by tennis players on television.
“I wanted to do some sort of sport in high school, and tennis just seemed like the best option, so I just tried it, and I stuck with it,” Ajina said.
Since her epilepsy puts her at a disadvantage, some accommodations are made for her. Due to the side effects of the medication she takes, she gets tired easily. As a result, she does not have to do as much conditioning as her teammates, and when she has a seizure, she comes to practice to help out the coach instead of playing herself.
Despite the challenges that come with her condition, Ajina believes that tennis is worth it.
“I have such a good support system,” Ajina said. “Our tennis environment is very friendly, and the coach is very friendly, too. It’s a really good chance to make friends and to have a group at school.”
Ajina says that due to her seizures, she cannot play as much as she would like to, but hopes to be able to in the future.
“Once I become seizure-free– I don’t know if it’ll happen or not– I will actually start being able to do everything,” Ajina said.
