“Mighty” Mike Simmel is a member of the Harlem Wizards. He has Epilepsy and talked with the kids at Thornell Road Elementary School about the disease, and about overcoming adversity. He also brought his talents to the R News studio Friday morning.

“Growing up, ages 2 through 6, I started having drop seizures,” said Simmel. “And this was a very difficult thing for me to overcome, but through basketball I was able to overcome it and help my motor skills, and it was just a great thing for me.”

Simmel travels around the country bringing his talents and message to schoolchildren. He is also the keynote speaker of the Epilepsy Foundation's Educational Conference tomorrow held at the Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School, 1100 South Goodman Street.

The conference runs from 8:30am to 2:30pm and is open to the public.