An 18-Hour Seizure Took His Memory — Now He’s Set to Graduate and Teach
After an 18-hour seizure left Cedarville student Brandon Stover unable to recognize his father, he fought functional neurological disorder and rebuilt memory. With family and support, he will graduate May 2 and pursue special education.
Brandon Stover woke up in a hospital after an 18-hour seizure and didn’t recognize his father. This spring, he will walk across Cedarville University’s commencement stage on his way to a career in special education.
Stover entered his freshman year at Cedarville University with high hopes, but a series of medical tragedies in his first semester brought his plans to a screeching halt. With the support of his family and Cedarville’s community, he overcame overwhelming odds to return to his studies, driven by a newfound passion for special education. Stover will graduate on May 2, just over four years after the most tumultuous time of his life.
Cedarville University Student Overcomes Medical Crisis to Graduate
In 2021, Stover, a student from Camden, Ohio, began his pursuit of a degree in psychology. Weeks after settling into college life, he received news that his mother was in critical condition after a car accident. He immediately went home, fully expecting to withdraw from school. Instead, his professors provided ways for him to continue classes online.
Back at home, Stover's mother underwent multiple surgeries.
“We were told twice she wasn’t going to make it,” said Stover. “We weren't allowed to see her because she was in such severe condition. She basically broke every bone on her left side of her body.”
After many stressful weeks, she was healthy enough to return home. Shortly after she was released from the hospital, the Stover family took another hit — this time, it was Brandon.
18-Hour Seizure Causes Memory Loss and Changes His Life
“I was driving, on the phone with my dad, and started feeling really sick,” said Stover. “The next thing I knew, I woke up in the hospital.”
Stover had experienced an 18-hour seizure. Miraculously, he was found safely parked, but the effects of the seizure were severe — he did not even recognize his father. Even amid the confusion, Stover said his faith stayed steady.
“My dad told me that even without my memory, I asked for his phone and played a song called, ‘He’ll Do It Again,’ said Stover. “He said that’s when he knew God had me.”
Stover was hospitalized for almost four weeks. During that time, he learned he had functional neurological disorder.
“Basically, my body doesn’t process stress correctly,” said Stover. “When stress builds up, everything in my body shuts down.”
“Some memories came back. Some never did,” said Stover. “I used to be great at math, but I had to re-learn algebra when I came back to Cedarville. I even forgot about people who had passed away and had to grieve them all over again.”
The possibility of another seizure — something doctors said could permanently damage his speech, vision and movement — haunted him, so he searched for ways to manage stress, even under the pressure of school.
Functional Neurological Disorder Diagnosis and Learning to Manage Stress
Stover, an eight-time national champion in multiple dance styles, found dance to be a powerful method to relieve stress. He now teaches at a nearby dance studio and even choreographed a dance that won Dance Machine: America's National Dance Championship in June 2025.
“I express myself in a way that I don't have to say a thing,” said Stover.
That same instinct to connect eventually showed up in a new place: the classroom. After returning to Cedarville, he discovered another passion — special education. Betsy Linnell, assistant professor of psychology, noticed how much he loved the autism and child development class she taught and prompted Stover to look into switching majors.
Special Education Major Inspired by Disability and Student Teaching
“I job-shadowed at a local school and fell in love with it,” said Stover. “I switched my major to special education, and now I’m a senior. I love every second of it.”
Stover said his disability has brought depth to his student teaching experience.
“Having a disability myself lets me relate to my students on a deeper level,” said Stover. “I can look at them and genuinely say, ‘You’re doing great. You’ve got this.’ People say they're disabled, but I say they’re just differently-abled.”
As he nears graduation, Stover credited his professors with supporting him through the setbacks.
“Cedarville is such a special place,” said Stover. “We have staff here who truly and authentically care about you in all stages of life. One of my professors, Dr. Roper (Dr. Lynn Roper, assistant professor of special education), takes time every day to check up on me. I don't think I can appreciate her enough now, but that’s how the whole university is. Here, you’re not just a number in the class; you’re a person. I thank God for putting me in this school.”
Looking back on the last five years, Stover said he sees God’s hand in all of it.
About Cedarville University
Cedarville University, an evangelical Christian institution in southwest Ohio, offers undergraduate and graduate residential and online programs across arts, sciences and professional fields. With 7,265 students, it is among Ohio's largest private universities and is ranked among the nation’s top five evangelical universities in the Wall Street Journal’s 2026 Best Colleges in the U.S. Cedarville is also known for its vibrant Christian community, challenging academics and high graduation and retention rates. Learn more at cedarville.edu.