Friday June 30th Due Date
2021 High School College grads in the D/M/V who are living with Epilepsy and are upcoming college freshman apply today. Share with family/friends. Click on the link below <a href="https://form.jotform.com/ejperry/krpmf-scholarship-application-2021" rel="no-follow"><img src="https://www.jotform.com/uploads/ejperry/form_files/210724087154149_1615732376_qrcode_muse.png" width="100%" style="max-width: 200px" alt="QR Code for JotForm form"/></a>
Kayla Ross Perry Memorial Foundation (KRPMF) conceived in 2017 and was incorporated in the State of Maryland and approved as 501C3 non profit organization in July 2019 to raise awareness on Epilepsy, provide scholarships and sponsor events that highlight the creative arts for healing.
The mission of KRPMF is to provide scholarships for young adults aspiring to attend college; to raise awareness about Epilepsy and Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy(SUDEP); to provide information on the availability of community resources for those living with Epilepsy and to sponsor activities that highlight the creative arts for healing.
With your financial support or by volunteering your time, the KRPMF will care and connect with our community to support youth , young adults and their families. Let's put an #ENDTOEPILEPSYANDSUDEP
Your support and contributions will enable us to meet our goals , support youth, young adults and support the creative arts. Your generous donation will fund our mission.
Kayla Ross is the youngest of three children born to the union of Bernard and Edana Perry, Her two siblings are Taelor Necolle and Christian Bernard. At the age of eleven Kayla was diagnosed with Juvenile-Myoclonic Epilepsy(JME), triggered by lack of sleep. Kayla and her family were set on ensuring that her life was not defined by the disease. Her story is far more than that of a fight against epilepsy. Kayla’s story, her song, is about love, faith, immeasurable strength, resilience, and defiance. Kayla’s song is a song of “in spite of” and no!
Growing up, Kayla sang in the children’s choir, she danced, tumbled, and played soccer. Kayla was an active member of the youth and young adult ministry at her church, there she also soared with the dance ministry, was a member of the Impact Teen Praise Team and sang in the Jr. Voices of Calvary youth choir. Kayla sang in the Washington Performing Arts - Children of the Gospel choir where she had the opportunity to sing with the choir for President Obama in 2009. Kayla was a singer, her whole life was a song.
Kayla’s love for music and her beautiful voice was one of the divine seeds planted within her being. Her voice was inspired by the music she loved; jazz, r&b, neo-soul, and gospel. She saw the world through music, from the melodies of soul to the rhythm of gogo, top 40, dance and trap music.
As a young woman, Kayla graduated from Montgomery College with her Associate's Degree. In March of 2017, she landed a position with HCD International as a Community Outreach Representative. She soon emerged as a leader among her colleagues, all while pursuing a certification in project management.
Kayla was stubborn, she was committed to living life on her terms, even if that meant bumping heads with the people she loved the most, her family. Kayla loved her family with everything in her.
We are committed to continuing Kayla’s legacy of strength, resilience, defiance, and deep love. On July 6, 2017, at the vibrant age of 26 years old, Kayla passed away suddenly from complications associated with Epilepsy- SUDEP (Sudden Unexpected Death from Epilepsy).
Her transition has been difficult for her family, friends and village. Kayla touched many lives and her family has decided to celebrate her life, pay it forward and give back to the community. Her family wants to encourage others to never give up despite life's challenges!
The KRP Memorial Scholarship was established at Greater MT.Calvary Holy Church in 2017 to honor the life and legacy of Kayla Ross Perry and to provide funding for college student(s) who pursue the creative arts. In August 2018, the first scholarship was awarded to Darin Bess. In July 2019, the next scholarship was awarded to Joelle Green. #kaylastrong
One of Kayla's graduation pictures from Montgomery College - May 2016. We were/are so proud of her.
What is Epilepsy?
Statistics on Epilepsy
What is SUDEP?
SUDEP is the sudden, unexpected death of someone with epilepsy, who was otherwise healthy. In SUDEP cases, no other cause of death is found when an autopsy is done. Each year, about 1 in 1,000 people with epilepsy die from SUDEP. This is the leading cause of death in people with uncontrolled seizures. For more information click on the links below.
https://www.epilepsy.com/learn
https://www.epilepsy.com/living-epilepsy/healthy-living
https://www.epilepsy.com/sites/core/files/atoms/files/SUDEP_knowledgeispower_8.5x11_v4%204-2019.pdf
One of Kayla's Instagram Selfies
KRPMF mission is to promote healing thru creative arts. Join us for the Artist Showcase
It's free! Click on the link to register https://bit.ly/34VczE7
Visit us on FB
https://www.facebook.com/kaylastrong2017 or the Kayla Ross Perry Memorial Foundation FB Page.
See below for more info on the event!
In honor of our daughter Kayla's life and legacy, join our watch Party for Inspirational Songs, Zumba Sessions and Epilepsy Education . Go to
https://www.facebook.com/kaylastrong2017 or the Kayla Ross Perry Memorial Foundation FB Page.
Saturday, May 4th we enjoyed a free community event that included Health Tips, Spoken Word, Music, Zumba Sessions and Kids activities.
Kommunity Konnects Thru Musik - Relax with your favorite beverage from 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm Listen to the sounds of Trey Austin, Brandon Seron Franklin and P. Anthony Morton.
Vote for your favorite T-shirt for Kayla Ross Perry Memorial Foundation 2021 during the showcase !
Click on the link https://bit.ly/34VczE7 to register by November 4th.
Join us on FB live and Youtube
View the Video Here
To view on YouTube Click on the link
or press the video below
2020 Virtual Edition - View the Video Here
To view on YouTube Click on the link
Congratulations! Christen is a 2020 graduating senior at the Academy of Health Sciences at Prince George's Community College. She plans to attend a 4 year university in the fall. When Christen was diagnosed with Epilepsy in 2019, she began sharing her story on her Instagram account to advocate and spread awareness about epilepsy, seizures, SUDEP and Seizure First Aid.. We salute Christen and agree with her slogan, " I refuse to allow Epilepsy to keep me from reaching my goal of obtaining my degree in Medical Laboratory Science and working towards a career as a Medical Laboratory Scientist.” . Follow Christen on her Instagram page @4ever_dcu.. We will be following Christen as she pursues her goal. Go Christen!
Apply now to the KRPMF Essay Contest! Calling Teens living with Epilepsy between the ages of 14 and 18 years of age. Deadline for Submission is Friday, April 17, 2020. Essay question to answer, “In 500 words ( double spaced) tell us what problems you have faced amongst classmates/peers with your Epilepsy and how you would reduce their fears and prejudices?
DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION IS FRIDAY, APRIL 17, 2020
Winner will receive $500
Click on the link for more information and to apply.
https://form.jotform.com/ejperry/krpmf-student-essay-entry-and-submi
RULES
Christen is a 2020 Senior who graduated from Academy of Health Sciences at Prince George's Community College. this past June. Congratulations to Christen and her family on this great accomplishment. After being accepted to several universities and colleges, Christen has decided to attend Stevensenville University in Maryland in the Fall. She will be studying to obtain a Bachelor's degree in Medical Laboratory Science and working towards a career as a Medical Laboratory Scientist.”
Christen shares her plans on how she can educate her classmates on Epilepsy, " My plan is to use my tenure as a Service Scholar and cheerleader to educate my classmates and the Stevenson community by making Epilepsy education my platform. I can do this by keeping up with activities, walks and other activities posted by the Epilepsy Foundation and other organizations such as the Kayla Ross Perry Memorial Foundation. When these organizations post activities, my goal is to inform my Service Scholar group and cheerleading squad so that we can possibly participate in the posted activities. This in turn will serve as an opportunity to educate and reduce their fears and prejudices about Epilepsy ." We look forward to partnering with you Christen.
On Saturday, August 15, 2020, two KRPMF board Members Bernard and Edana Perry, delivered the $1000 scholarship check to Christen and her mom.
We are so excited for you and all that you will accomplish. Go Christen!
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