Education is at the heart of Aura Wharton-Beck’s “why.”
It’s why she has been an unwavering advocate for her daughter with intractable epilepsy.
It’s why she dedicated her career to education as a teacher and administrator.
And it’s why she serves on the Board of Directors for the Epilepsy Foundation of Minnesota.
Aura’s connection to epilepsy began in elementary school when a classmate experienced a tonic-clonic seizure on the playground. No one explained what had happened.
“We were frightened, and we didn’t know what to do. It was awful, and we were left on our own to try to process it.”
Years later, when her 18-month-old daughter experienced her first seizure, she sought to educate herself to be the best advocate she could be.
“In the early years, you are trying to make sense of medication and what this all means for your family. You are navigating all sorts of uncharted territories.”
Throughout her 40+ years working in education, Aura saw firsthand how unprepared schools often are to support students living with epilepsy. She recognized the urgent need for teachers to be trained in seizure recognition and response and for families to have guidance as they navigated epilepsy’s impact at school and at home.
When speaking with parents, she often shared that her own child also had epilepsy.
“It would change the whole dynamic of the conversation. Those parents knew I truly understood what they were going through.”
These experiences motivated Aura to serve on EFMN’s Board of Directors and play an active role in helping to remove the misinformation about seizures, dispel stereotypes about people with epilepsy, and provide support to those who are impacted – including caregivers.
“EFMN provides Minnesotans with the tools to understand seizures. There was no roadmap for what to do with my daughter. As I reflect on that journey, it was a missed opportunity that I didn’t connect with EFMN years earlier.”
One of the things Aura likes most about EFMN’s support is that it is tailored to help you no matter where you are on your epilepsy journey.
“The power of EFMN is that it’s a fluid community. You can get services when you need them. It is a trusted source of information and support for families who may be new to epilepsy and for those of us who have been dealing with epilepsy for a long time.”
Serving on EFMN’s Board of Directors has further strengthened Aura’s commitment to increasing awareness of epilepsy and its impacts – including educating policymakers.
“I think it’s important for those of us who are directly impacted by epilepsy to understand how policy decisions at the state and federal levels impact us and that we educate leaders on how those policies impact our families.”
Two years ago, Aura and her daughter attended one of EFMN’s United in Epilepsy Walks and saw our mission in action.
EFMN’s United in Epilepsy Walk
“It was so powerful to see that we were not alone. To look around that field and see each person with epilepsy, knowing they each have their own unique story about managing and living a purposeful, meaningful life with epilepsy, was powerful, and it helped me see how an organization like EFMN can truly help light the way.”
To Aura, EFMN’s flame logo symbolizes the power of our community.
“It signifies to me the goal of lighting the way. It lights the way out of darkness, a way out of old thinking, a way out of addressing stereotypes, and illuminating possibilities.”
Education and Background:
Aura Wharton-Beck has served on EFMN’s Board of Directors since 2024. She is an experienced educator, an Associate Professor of Educational Leadership at the University of St. Thomas, CEO and founder of an independent film company, and the parent of an adult daughter living with epilepsy.
: COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT: Aura Wharton-Beck