( CNN ) -- For most of Paul Ramirez 's life , only those closest to him knew that he lived with a serious brain disorder . Ramirez , of Pasadena , California , found out he had epilepsy when he was 22 . Now 50 , he 's had seven grand mal seizures , which make him lose consciousness . Still , he often went years without having a seizure at all . `` I kept it private from extended members of my family . I never told my friends . I was ashamed of it , '' Ramirez said . That changed in June . Ramirez was waiting to see his neurologist after a recent seizure . The doctor would help determine whether Ramirez should continue driving . In the waiting room , Ramirez stumbled across a CNN.com story on his iPad . The story , published after U.S. Commerce Secretary John Bryson had a seizure while driving , explained how common seizures are and the reasons they can occur . It featured people living with epilepsy who talked about the impact the disorder had on their lives . Reading the piece marked a turning point in Ramirez 's life . `` It was the first time I had ever read a story that actually mirrored my own life , '' he said . `` It was inspiring . It was encouraging . It gave me hope that there were others out there ( like me ) . '' Ramirez immediately sent an e-mail to Nathan Jones , who was featured in the story . By the time the doctor appointment was over , Jones had responded . Ramirez and Jones , project coordinator at the Epilepsy Foundation of Greater Los Angeles , soon became fast friends , sharing stories over coffee and lunch . A week later , Ramirez went to the foundation 's office and met with the staff . He wrote an e-mail to his family and friends , telling them about his journey and his struggles with epilepsy . He also told them the Department of Motor Vehicles was looking into whether he should keep his license . He was overwhelmed with support . `` I now feel like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders , '' he said . `` I 'm not afraid to come forward , to discuss it . '' Ramirez realized that he had an opportunity to share his story and to help others . He signed up to become a team captain for the foundation 's Walk to End Epilepsy on October 28 at the Rose Bowl . Then he decided to do more . Last month , days before his 50th birthday , Ramirez climbed Mt . Whitney , the highest point in the contiguous United States , in one 15-hour hike . He dedicated that hike and his birthday to raising money for the walk . When he reached the summit , Ramirez put on a shirt with two simple words : End Epilepsy . `` Standing on that mountain and being able to put on the End Epilepsy shirt meant more to me than any footstep I took getting up there , '' Ramirez said . `` It meant a lot . And I 'll do it again next year and the year after that . '' Susan Pietsch-Escueta , executive director of the Epilepsy Foundation of Greater Los Angeles , says more people with epilepsy need to come forward . She says that sharing stories and information is vital to helping people understand the world 's most common serious brain disorder . `` I think that 's why it 's so amazing to have people like Paul willing to speak up and be an example , '' she said . `` I truly do believe we will never end epilepsy if people with epilepsy remain in the shadows and in hiding , in a sense . '' Ramirez takes precautions but says he is not going to let epilepsy manage his life . He 's been cleared to drive ; he 's an expert skier and an avid mountain biker and swimmer . `` He 's not going to let anything hold him back , '' Jones said . `` He 's going to live his life like he wants to , and I really admire that . '' Ramirez says the CNN story came at the perfect time in his life . `` I 'm not embarrassed anymore . I just do n't see it as a humiliating circumstance . It 's just another part of life , '' he said . `` I think everyone has something , and this is my something . '' Seizures : When an 'electrical brainstorm ' hits .
Carlos Ramirez found out he had autism when he was 22 . He hid the serious brain disorder from family , friends until he read a story on CNN . Story inspired Ramirez to share his story and raise money for epilepsy research .