Epilepsy speaking events

 Brainstorm has been featured at screenings, conferences, and events both locally and across the nation. 

Book Stacia for your next event
I share my journey along with clips from the film – or the entire film – to help the audience understand epilepsy through a personal lens. Many people with epilepsy have emailed after watching Brainstorm to share their stories. 1 in 26 people will develop epilepsy; that’s one child in a classroom, one athlete on a sports team, one employee of a small business. CEOs, actors, coaches, musicians, politicians, and even medical professionals – many work and live with epilepsy in silence. As an epilepsy event speaker, I hope to create empathy and inspire people battling medical conditions with the five words that have become my personal mantra: Don’t Give up on Yourself.

Epilepsy Foundation of Minnesota Gala


Keynote Speaker at the “Evening for Epilepsy” Gala

April 15, 2023 |   Minneapolis
 

“Stacia brings her inspirational journey up close and personal; she gave our community valuable insights on the power of perseverance and resilience. Stacia places a spotlight on the enduring hope needed when living with epilepsy.”

Glen Lloyd, Executive Director of the Epilepsy Foundation of Minnesota

Blue Bird Circle Spring Luncheon


Fundraiser for Texas Children’s Hospital

Keynote Speaker

March 23, 2022 |   Houston, TX

“Your presentation made the “idea” of the possibilities for the treatment come to life. One can speak and philosophize, but you are a living example of what can be done for those who suffer from seizures. I know that bearing all of what you have experienced is not always comfortable. We all heard the emotion in your voice as you told your story. You have used your situation as a tool to inspire others: patients to always seek better treatment and doctors to create pathways to greater breakthroughs.”

Marie Bell, President of the Blue Bird Circle, an organization that supports pediatric neurology and research at Texas Children’s Hospital

American Association of Neuroscience Nurses Annual Meeting

Keynote Speaker

April 19,  2021 |   San Antonio, TX

“Stacia’s emotion and power sparks a passion in all all of those listening. As an epilepsy nurse practitioner I hear my patients’ journeys every day, but listening to Stacia brought a whole new perspective, voice, and power to those struggling with seizures.”

Erin Fecske, DNP, APRN, CNRN, CPNP-PC, FAES, American Association of Neuroscience Nurses

Epilepsy Foundation of San Diego County Epilepsy Education Conference


Keynote Speaker

July 27, 2019|   San Diego, CA

“It was a pleasure having Stacia speak at our Epilepsy Education Conference. Her story of resilience and grit was truly inspiring for all in attendance.”

Wendy Urushima-Conn, Executive Director of the Epilepsy Foundation of San Diego County

Epilepsy Foundation of Michigan 2018 Wellness and Epilepsy Conference


Keynote Speaker

November 10, 2018 |   Livonia, MI

“We are so happy to have hosted Stacia at our Wellness & Epilepsy Conference in Michigan. Our audience was completely engaged in her story and left feeling inspired. Living with epilepsy can certainly have its challenges- but Stacia’s story provided purpose and hope for the epilepsy community.”

Brianna Romines, MPA, President of the Epilepsy Foundation of Michigan

Society for Brain Mapping and Therapeutics Annual Congress


Brainstorm screening, followed by a panel discussion including Warren Boling, MD, Professor and Chairman of the Department of Neurosurgery at Loma Linda University and the 2017-2018 President of the Society for Brain Mapping and Therapeutics, and Dawn Eliashiv, MD, Professor of Neurology and Co-Director of the UCLA Seizure Disorders Center.

April 13-14, 2018 |   Los Angeles

“In Brainstorm, Stacia Kalinoski has captured those moments which descend suddenly like an afternoon thunderstorm on someone with epilepsy. It normally doesn’t take much to get me to cry, and if that was her goal she did that easily, as she showed the terror, the helplessness and the heroic beauty of the individual who weathers a (brain) storm.  

As one who has a milder form of epilepsy than those portrayed in the film, the film moved me, inspired me and strengthened my commitment to help advance Ms. Kalinoski’s efforts to educate others with epilepsy, the general public and clinicians who might not be well versed about epilepsy… I recommend anyone with epilepsy, or afflicted with any challenging medical condition, to watch this film.”

Dr. Ken Green, Commander (DC) US Navy, Retired 
Senior Vice President of the Brain Mapping Foundation & VP of Strategic Initiatives for Government and Nonprofit Partnerships

 

University of Minnesota Neurology Grand Rounds


Shared my perspective on the fear and stigma surrounding seizures, living with the challenges of epilepsy, and the need to educate others about this common, but largely misunderstood, brain disorder.

January 5, 2018 |   Minneapolis

“Very brave presenter. Outstanding presentation.”

Grand Rounds attendee, University of Minnesota Medical School, Department of Neurology

 

American Academy of Neurology & American Brain Foundation


Brainstorm screening 
October 3, 2017   |   Minneapolis

         “There is so much stigma attached to epilepsy, that even friends who have it, rarely talk about it. But Stacia is talking about it. Her remarks and documentary increased the awareness and empathy levels of all staff who attended our event.”

Jane Ransom, Executive Director of the American Brain Foundation


Epilepsy Foundation of Arizona Gala


Keynote speaker at the “Waves of Change” Gala

September 16, 2017   |   Paradise Valley, AZ

“Stacia’s story was inspirational … Everyone was moved to hear Stacia’s account of her battle with seizures and her perseverance to overcome them.”

Suzanne D. Matsumori, Executive Director of the Epilepsy Foundation of Arizona

“Stacia captivated the audience detailing her journey with epilepsy. Stacia’s speech (actually more of a conversation) was heartfelt, informative, engaging and well-received.”

UCB Phoenix

Upsher-Smith Presentation


Guest Speaker for Upsher-Smith internal staff to share my journey with epilepsy

March 14, 2017   |   Minneapolis

University of Minnesota Medical School


Guest Speaker and Brainstorm screening for medical students

December 6, 2016   |   Minneapolis

“Stacia’s direct communication with tomorrow’s physicians is among the many contributions she makes to improving care for people with epilepsy and, by extension, other neurological conditions. We recognize the courage and effort required to make this contribution and are indebted to Stacia for her extraordinary commitment. Our students enthusiastically expressed their gratitude and indicated that this was among the most valuable single experiences in their medical education to date.”

University of Minnesota Medical School, Department of Neurology

American Epilepsy Society Conference


Guest Speaker for the UCB Catalyst Cafe on understanding the patient perspective

December 3-5, 2016   |   Houston

UCB Patient Impact Meeting


Guest Speaker for UCB internal staff to better understand the patient perspective

February 14, 2017   |   Los Angeles

Twin Cities Public Television Epilepsy Awareness Event


Public screening of Brainstorm and Q&A panel with local epileptologists and Stacia

November 17, 2016   |   St. Paul

“The film provided powerful insight and an intimate and comprehensive look into the impact epilepsy has upon the family unit, employment, education, and everyday life.”

Heidi Fisher, Executive Director of Epilepsy Foundation of Minnesota  

Seize the Evening


Guest Speaker for the Epilepsy Advocacy and Employment Group’s fundraising event

September 17, 2016   |   Minneapolis

“Stacia’s compelling story helped to make our event a real success.  Those in attendance were fascinated to hear about the devastating effects epilepsy can have on one’s career and how Stacia was able to overcome and deal with the consequences of being unfairly terminated from her job.”             

 John Thompson, Executive Director of Epilepsy Advocacy & Employment Group

Book an event with Stacia