VIRGINIA BEACH FAMILY TRAVELS TO CNN NEWS ABOUT THE VILLAGE

LOCAL FAMILY IS THANKFUL FOR "THE VILLAGE"

Eric Olivier Jr. (E.J.) met Lowell G. Evans in the Kempsville Library some months ago and noticed his T-Shirt about the "National Epilepsy Convention." As Mr. Evans received a "smile" from this 13yr old student from Salem Middle School in Va. Beach, he smiled back and continued on to his desk. Little did the author of "The Village" know what the smile was all about!

Mrs. Teresa Olivier, E.J's mother then stopped the author and asked him about "epilepsy". This is when he told her about his speech at the convention and his book "The Village". He also informed her about his thoughts about epilepsy. He stated to her, "I may have epilepsy, but epilepsy does not have me!" Mrs.Olivier was happy to hear those words from him and then informed him of her son having epilepsy. This is when Mr. Evans asked her, "Is that your son over there?" She stated,"Yes" and then informed him of how Eric Jr. did not want to return to school or church because of the "peer pressure" he was receiving from having a seizure in public. Mr. Evans than asked to speak to E.J. and Mr. Olivier said, "Oh, please do."

After the author informed the young man that he had dealt with the "peer pressure" as well, E.J. felt a little more relaxed about epilepsy. It was when Mr. Evans informed the young man about all of the famous people who had epilepsy. He informed him of President Teddy Roosevelt, Thomas Edison, and Mr. Danny Glover all having this condition. The young man could hardly believe what he was hearing! His attitude was changing instantly! This conversation had the Olivier Family amazed! When Mr. Evans informed E.J. of the novel he wrote, "The Village" and then gave him an autographed copy, the relief that came across this young man's face was a site to see! He took the book and ran over to the other side of the library to read it!

A few weeks later, the Olivier family contacted the author again and requested more books to purchase along with "The Village" t-shirts! Little did the author know that the Olivier family had "bigger plans" than he ever could imagine. It was two weeks later when Mr. Evans received a call and it was from Mrs. Teresa Olivier, E.J.'s mother. The family had gone do to Atlanta, Ga. to nominate the author as a "CNN Hero." They were not able to get past security so they took a picture outside of the CNN Studios wearing the "Village T-Shirts and holding a copy of "The Village"! Mr. Evans could hardly believe his eyes!

Mrs. Olivier then stated to the author of the story of  "The Village and Kevin Bolden" changed the life of their son. E.J. for the better! In fact it was a positive change for the entire family! The family is planning on going back to CNN News to make the nomination again!

HIGH SCHOOL IINVITES THE WRITER OF THE VILLAGE TO SPEAK

LANDSTOWN HIGH  APICS ORGANIZATION REQUESTS MR. LOWELL G. EVANS AS GUEST SPEAKER!

When Mr. Lowell G. Evans  saw his old neighbor, Jordan Branch  who attends  Landstown High School at Wendy's Resturant, he asked him and his friends what they were doing . They informed him that they had just finished their organizational meeting for APICS. With him not understanding what this meant he asked, "O.K., fellows what is APICS?" They informed them that it stood for the "Asian Pacific Islanders Cultural Society." With that response he asked, "Can you explain that to me please?"

The students from Landstown High had formed an organization so that the students from all walks of life at Landstown High can learn from each other the different Races and Cultures at the school. Mr. Evans was very impressed with this because the group of young men were conducting themselves as "Gentlemen" and they displayed "great respect" for one another and the people at the restaurant as well.

With the "definition" of APICS being explained to Mr. Evans, he then shared with the group of young men his novel, "The Village." As Mr. Evans informed the students of the story of "Kevin Bolden" who was an African American Corporate Family Man who lost his career and almost his entire family due to the "lack of knowledge of epilepsy", the students became very excited! He then sat down with them and shared his accomplishments and his goal to "eradicate the ignorance of epilepsy" in society by writing the novel. The students were surprised to have a "Published Author" in their presence.

As Mr. Evans explained the story of "The Village", one of the young men in the group named Andy said, "Mr. Evans, The Village is more than just about helping people with epilepsy. It is about "helping your fellow man no matter what the condition or the race. That is actually what we are doing with APICS!" Everyone of the members agreed with him. Mr. Evans was very impressed to see that these young men had recognized the "message being given" in the novel. Again these were high school students but they had a great deal of  "wisdom."

With all that being said, the students then invited Mr. Evans to be the "Guest Speaker" at the end of the year celebration for APICS on June 11, 2012 at 2:30pm at the school. Mr. Evans gladly accepted the offer but informed them that they had to get the approval from their sponsor Ms Marica Garner. He then gave them a copy of the novel and other literature about "Epilepsy".

When Mr. Evans did his speech to APICS, he informed them of how one of their alumni, Mr. D.J.Conti had touched his life.

In closing, Mr. Evans informed the students that Mr. Cristobal Krusen, president of Messenger Films had read his novel and had also came to Va. Beach to do a "personal interview" with him. From the interview, Mr. Krusen said this:

The interview I conducted provided me the opportunity to explore areas of your story that I had pre-identified as holding the potential for a successful cinematic treatment. I now feel confident saying that – properly written,produced and directed – a compelling film can be made for a wide audience based partly on your book and partly on details of your life.

Cristobal Krusen

The students were informed Mr. Krusen had done the movie, "The Bill Collector" in the cities of Va. Beach and Norfolk. He gave them Mr. Krusen's website, www.messengerfilms.com He also informed then that if they helped to spread the word about "The Village and Mr. Kevin Bolden" that when the movie is done, they could be possible "fill-ins" in the movie. There would not be any pay for this, but to have a film done "right in Va. Beach" got them very excited. All this would do is support what "APICS" is doing for the community! They were actually doing the same thing Mr. Evans was doing! Educating people!

Mr. Evans truly enjoyed meeting APICS of Landstown High School and has been inspired by them even more to make the "movie" come to pass!

Mr. Parsons Says, " The Village Movie" Is A Must!

This email below was sent from Mr. Tim Parsons Sr. of Arkansas. He himself was a "Kevin Bolden", a man with epilepsy. A man that could not receive the help he needed. He wants to see "The Village" made into a movie!

Mr. Parsons Sr. writes:

Lowell,

That sounds great!!  I sincerely hope you can acheive your goal in making this into a movie.  I only wish that this could have been done 100 years ago, or longer.  I don't care what the "case" is, whether it be race, creed, etc., discrimination is wrong, no matter what the reason.  I came to realize this at a very early age, because of epilepsy, yet I still was surrounded by ignorant people, of all colors.  It was hard to deal with at times, but it made me a better person overall.  Perhaps it was God's way of tempering me into that better person....

I am glad I have found someone who was able to be so closely paralleled in life to the same situation I went through.  I wish you success with this project.  For all of us who suffer with seizures and the side affects of them and the medications that we take to prevent them, I wish you luck and success with this project my good friend.

Sincerely,

Tim Parsons, Sr.

INVITATION FROM BETTIE F. WILLIAMS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

I was forunate to meet Mrs. Delphina Malone last month. She is the Guidance Counselor at Bettie F. Williams Elementary School located in Va. Beach, Va. While at a restaurant, I shared with Mrs. Malone the story of "The Village" and the life of the character I created name "Kevin Bolden."

Mrs.Malone was very excited about having a "published author" located right in the city of Va. Beach and a man willing to speak about "epilepsy." She then invited me and my publisher, Mr. Dreason Ruckett of Lyrical4cast Publishing to come and speak at the "Career Day" at her school on May 24th. We were greeted by Principal Timothy Sullivan and Asst. Principal, Mrs. Shirley Haywood. They shared with us the "dreams" of the students that we were there to see.

Mr. Ruckett and I had a great time explaining to the students our careers as a author and a publisher. Most of all we enjoyed informing them of what "epilepsy" really was. Just like so many people, the myths and stigmas about epilepsy were "overwhelming". This was our opportunity to educated the students and introduce them to the main character of the novel, "Mr. Kevin Bolden." When the students finally had a "name" associated with epilepsy we then shared with them the "real names" that had the condition. We informed them of Pres. Theodore Roosevelt, Actor Danny Glover, writers such as Charles Dickens and Lewis Carroll. This was a total surprise to them! They then started seeing themselves acheving their "dreams in life." I shared with them that fact that we are working on a "screenplay" for the novel to become a movie. This truly excited them as all of a sudden many of them wanted to become, "movie stars"! We had a great time.

We left the school with the children knowing the life of "Kevin Bolden" and them saying that, "I may have epilepsy, but epilepsy does not have me." They shared their dreams with us and truly made our visit one to remember.

I know I can speak for Mr. Dreason Ruckett in saying, "We thank the staff and the students at Bettie F. Williams Elementary School for the invitation to come and speak."

Sincerely,
Lowell G. Evans
Autor of : "The Village"
A novel of inspiration for the entire family!

Indiana Man In Awe of African American Man Revealing He Has Epilepsy!

 Mrs. Sonja Glass shares what "The Village" and the Men of New Life Church did for her brother, Mr. Kirk Hawkins!

Excerpt From Letter Sent by Mrs. Sonja Glass:

"My brother called me to report he had received the book from you. Lowell, I was in awe of my brother’s awe in knowing someone cared enough to send the book, that people took the time to write to him personally in the book, that an African American man (you) would reveal to the world he has epilepsy. I listened as my brother quoted scriptures, praised God, and talked about his past and his anger at having epilepsy. Most of all, I listened as my brother began to heal a little.

Lowell, my brother asked me to tell you on that day that if you did not hear from him in awhile, not to worry, but the overwhelming feelings that book and the words of encouragement from the congregation was new and a little too much for him. Yet, he shocked me by saying “sis, tells my story to Lowell or anyone. But make sure you tell it all”.

Lowell, Kirk Hawkins had epileptic seizures. But he finished school, mastered a trade (as taught to him by our father) as an electrician, served our country honorably in the United States Army for many years, became a husband, father and now a grandfather. He (like you) is the face of epilepsy.

My brother said he Prays no one ever has to have seizures, yet he thank God for avenues of education such as your book to put not just a medical term to the illness, but an instrument such as yours that will actually give a face to the illness.

Thanks again!

We (Kirk and I) wish you the very best in your endeavors now and in the future.

6/15/11

Arkansas Man States: "Finally Someone Puts Epilepsy Into a Story!"

Mr.Tim Parsons Sr. shares what "The Village and Kevin Bolden" has done for him."

Hello,

My name is Tim. I recently came across Lowell Evans book, "The Village". I sent Mr. Evans the following message located at the bottom of this message...

I was amazed that someone had finally put in a story some of what I had experienced as a person with epilepsy myself. Although I have not read the book, I knew when I read about what the plot was what the book was about. This happens all too often in society today. It happened to me. I worked for the USPS from 1984 until late 1992 or early 1993, it was just before the Family Medical Leave Act was signed into law. I had begged my place of employment to let me do exactly what the FMLA gave workers the right to finally do. My meds needed adjustment after approximately 9 years of working, but my supervisors didn't like me missing work, even though I brought them explanations from my doctors about why I was having to miss work. Eventually, due to the stress and being made fun of by co workers, and with no help from EEOC I had a nervous breakdown because I could not get out of the hostile environment which was only making my situation worse.

I am sure myself nor "Kevin Bolden" are the only ones that epilepsy affects in this way, and the stigma that is attached to it by society is morally reprehensible. No one there saw anything wrong with what was going on.... I could not get any help from anyone, believe me, I tried. I was in the fight of my life, I had a family to feed and care for. If I failed in doing that, what kind of a man was I???

The reason I am telling you this, is that the story of Kevin Bolden, needs to be told, and told loudly. I have spoken with Mr. Evans, and it is like we have lived the same life, only a thousand miles apart. And I feel that there are a million other "Kevin Boldens" out there, who struggle everyday just to get up and go to work, knowing they too will have to face the harassment, and humiliation of being mocked, talked about behind their back and ridiculed afterward, all because they have, shhh, "epilepsy".

I was living the American Dream, and it turned into a nightmare for my family and myself...

Please help spread the word, and educate an ignorant population about epilepsy, and rid our society of the stigma associated with it.

Thank you for helping Mr. Evans, and thank you for allowing a small light to shine and reach me in what seems like a very dark and cruel world.

Sincerely,

Tim Parsons, Sr.

Chicago Lady Sees Lowell G.Evans as an "Inspiration"!

Mrs. Staci Fulton admires Lowell G. Evans for writing "The Village" for Epilepsy Awareness!

Hello Mr. Evans,

My name is Staci Fulton and I am a 26 year old, married college student. I myself have epilepsy and it has had a profound impact on my life since birth. I was born with it, my paternal grandmother and father have it, have 3 different types of seizures ranging from Petit Mal to Grand Mal. I am still recovering from brain surgery that I had just a little over a year ago in order to try and control my seizures as I was having 5-10 a day. I am connected with Team Epilepsy on Facebook and that is how I heard about your book. I am thrilled to read it and find out how your journey has been with epilepsy, because I agree its not just neurological it is VERY emotional to! My family and I have been through lots with my epilepsy, including being told that my husband and I may not be able to have our own children! I find that even some of my college professors who have PH Ds can be very insensitive to the fact that epilepsy is a real condition that can have major impact, they ask some crazy things and people say some very hurtful things. I once had a teacher in high school throw an eraser at me because she thought I was being smart with her when I didn't respond and I had a smile on the left side of my face, because my seizures come from my right temporal lobe and so my left side of my face does crazy things. My heart sank and my mother was furious!! I admire you for being so strong and trying to spread awareness. I want to help spread awareness out here in Illinois, I am doing an internship with the Epilepsy Foundation of Greater Chicago this summer to help out. I have a saying to Epilepsy is a part of my identity, but it DOES NOT define me as a person!! That is what I tell people when they ask me about my epilepsy and my surgery and how it has effected my life. I plan to live life to its fullest and I will keep spreading the word about epilepsy awareness! By the way do they have an epilepsy walk out in VA? I do it every year my team's name is Staci's Wishful Walkers

Thank You,

Staci Fulton

P.S. You are an inspiration to all of us living and fighting daily with epilepsy!

Not Another Moment Should be Lost to Seizures!!