Chanda Gunn will always be a winner for people with epilepsy. She is a true example of how someone with epilepsy can overcome obstacles. Chanda was the USA Olympic Women’s Ice Hockey goaltender, and bronze medal winner of the 2006 Winter Olympics. We are proud to say that she is also a Spokesperson for the Epilepsy Therapy Project.

Chanda and her teammates recently competed at the Gold Medal games in Canada with Team 2007 US Women's National. Their hopes, and ours, were high. When they shut out Finland – with Chanda stopping all 13 shots – and notched three wins in four games, we were ready for the gold. Despite Chanda’s energy and the team’s talent, their game-winning streak came to an end when Canada defeated Team USA with a score of 5 to 1, earning Team Canada their ninth IIHF World Women’s Championship gold medal.

We know that Chanda and Team USA are disappointed. We read her blog and could just feel the pre-game excitement. She said in a blog entry just after arriving in Canada:

“So it's 3:00 am and I am writing to you from the Lobby of the Delta Hotel in Winnipeg. We're HERE! And I am so excited about being here, with this team, at this tournament, playing for my country against Canada tomorrow - I can not sleep (again!).”

But after the loss, Chanda and teammates were ready to follow the lead of Wayne Gretsky. After losing the Stanley Cup, he and his team doubled their efforts and went on to a win the next season.

We gave Chanda a few weeks to recover and then asked her to talk with epilepsy.com about the game – her excitement, her inability to sleep and how this impacts her health and ability to control her epilepsy. She shares her thoughts in this interview with Nonna Gale, whose daughter Kira, practices hockey with Chanda and who appears in our PBS film with her.

Rita Watson, Senior Editor

Interview with Chanda Gunn

By Nonna Gale

What were your thoughts immediately after the game?

My thoughts after this particular game pretty much followed my immediate thoughts after every game. When we lose, or if I feel as if I have had a bad game, I will think about the game and how I played, sometimes second guessing everything I did during the game. Then I just want the chance to play the game over again right at that moment because after thinking about it, I know I can do better.

I was pretty disappointed after losing the tournament. But always I look at my teammates all around me in the locker room and I am absolutely in awe of the players. My teammates never cease to amaze and inspire me.

Did you agree with the calls in this tournament game?

Generally, I am not too hard on the referee and calls that are made. It depends on the situation. However, in the case of this particular game, I will say I was pretty disappointed by some shots delivered by our opponents. I got nailed a couple of times and the calls were not there. Also, in the final game of the tournament, there was a goal that CLEARLY did not go in the net but which was indicated as a goal and allowed as a score against us. That was very disappointing and extremely frustrating to me. (The game calls are at: http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Hockey/Women/2007/04/11/3981615-sun.html).

How did Coach Johnson’s pep talk about Wayne Gretsky influence your thoughts about next year?

Regardless of a particular motivating story Coach Johnson might use when he speaks to us as a team or to each of us individually, he is inspiring. He knows our strengths and potential. He believes in us. With his encouragement, my thoughts change from, "I can't believe we lost, I'm a loser," to wanting to get back to the gym, get on the bike (usually my least favorite thing to do) and train for the next game. He just always leaves us feeling empowered and excited about ourselves. That is a great leadership quality. Krissy Wendell, our team captain, has this skill as well.

This time he talked to us about Wayne Gretsky. After losing the Stanley Cup, he and his team doubled their efforts and went on to a win the next season.

With such a rigorous schedule, the demands of training, and the excitement of a world championship tournament, are you able to get enough sleep in order to control your epilepsy?

Obviously, getting enough rest and sleep is important. Otherwise, yes, I might have trouble with seizures. I want to point out, however, that it is imperative as an athlete and member of a team to do what it takes to be healthy.

When you don’t sleep at night, are you able to find rest periods during the day?

Even when I do sleep at night, I always nap when I am at training camp. We all usually sleep for about an hour twice a day. Our days are busy and very intense. We need lots of sleep in order to recover.

What is your advice to yourself about getting enough rest?

For me, in terms of sleep, I don't usually have to remind myself to go to bed. Especially at training camp, we are all tired from working out and training hard so sleep comes pretty naturally. We all need to be well rested in order to perform well the following day.

How has the right diet, medication, and exercise helped you with your epilepsy?

Proper diet, exercise, and medication are the keys to controlling my epilepsy, maintaining my health, and keeping my seizures under control. Being healthy is crucial to me, not only because I have epilepsy, but because I am an athlete. Health and discipline go hand in hand with being an athlete. I have learned a lot, and I am probably in better health because of my occupation!

What parallels do you see with winning and losing with regard to the ups and downs experienced by those who have epilepsy?

You need to believe in yourself. There will be ups and downs, wins and losses, and you need to focus in and tap into the strength within you to work hard, do what you need to do and face the next challenge. Enjoy the celebrations and believe in the strength within you to face your next challenge and meet your goals.

Edited by Rita Watson

Reviewed by Steven Schachter, MD on 04/26/07