With 4 Soll
der Hear
Samara Shlom
will sing at a
find-raiser to
benefit the
Epilepsy
Center, an
organization
which has been
important in
her own lift.
SUZANNE CHESSLER
SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH NEWS
S amara Shlom was 11 years old when she learned she her freshman college year at DePaul University in Chicago, where
had epilepsy, but controlling the condition never be- she appeared in The Marriage of Figaro. As the year moved along,
came an issue. Her concern was whether to keep it a se- she decided to switch to a more practical career and set her sights
on becoming an elementary school teacher.
cret.
"I've really been lucky because of the way the epilepsy medica-
She was glad medication worked immediately to pre-
vent convulsive seizures and the hard-to-define tion worked for me," said Shlom who attended Hillel Day School
and celebrated her bat mitzvah
sensations she had experienced.
and confirmation at Adat
But she was disturbed about the
Shalom. "I can do pretty much
possibility that friends and class-
what everybody else does so
mates might think of her as dif-
long as I get plenty of sleep."
ferent.
About 2.5 million people in
Counseling at the Epilepsy
the United States have some
Center of Michigan helped
form of epilepsy, according to
Shlom eventually feel comfort-
the Epilepsy Center of Michi-
able talking about her experi-
gan. Modern treatment meth-
ences with the disorder. Now,
ods can achieve full or partial
years after diagnosis, she feels
control of seizures in about 85
fine about letting crowds of peo-
percent of the cases.
ple know, and will sing at a fund-
"As I got older and more con-
raiser to benefit the organization
fident, I felt I could be more
that has been so important to
open," said Shlom, whose,key
her.
chain reveals her condition in
Shlom, who is about to enter
case of an emergency. "I decid-
Michigan State University as a
ed it wouldn't hurt me to tell
sophomore minoring in music,
other people, especially because
will perform Broadway and Hol-
I want people to know how nor-
lywood showstoppers at 1:30
mal we are.
p.m. Sunday, Aug. 17, at the
"Epilepsy is not something to
Maple-Drake Jewish Communi-
be afraid of. It's a disorder like
ty Center. Her accompanist will
any other disorder, and I hope
be Delma Reid, who has been a
the donations from the concert
music director for Nancy Gurwin
will keep the center active in ed-
Productions.
ucating the public." ❑
"I wanted to do something for
the Epilepsy Center because the
people there have done so much
e Samara Shlom will perform
for me," said Shlom, who start-
Broadway and Hollywood show
ed taking private voice lessons
tunes 1:30 p.m. Sunday, Aug.
when she was in the eighth
17, at the Deroy Theater at the
grade. "They explained my
Maple-Drake Jewish Commu-
rights, and when I wasn't ready
nity Center. "For the Love of
to tell people, they told me I
Music" is a benefit for the
didn't have to."
Epilepsy Center of Michigan.
Shlom demonstrated her mu-
Tickets are available free of
sical theater talents throughout
charge, but suggested donation
her years at West Bloomfield
categories are as follows: stu-
High School, appearing in Samara Shlom: "I wanted to do something for the Epilepsy Center because the
dent/senior citizen, $10; sponsor,
Grease, Guys and Dolls, Into the people there have done so much for me."
$15; patron, $25; donor, $50;
Woods and other productions.
benefactor, $100. Reservations are a must, as seating is limited.
She was encouraged to enter competition and won an All-State
For information, call Susan Shlom, (248) 855-2761, or the Epilep-
Award from the Michigan School Vocal Association.
sy Center of Michigan, (248) 351-2102.
Thinking she would like to become an opera singer, Shlom spent