We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Bright Bwalya. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Bright below.

Hi Bright, thanks for joining us today. If you had a defining moment that you feel really changed the trajectory of your career, we’d love to hear the story and details.

I remember the moment that completely changed my perspective on life. I had just come out of a seizure, disoriented and vulnerable, and I saw people gathered around me, praying fervently. They were trying to “cast out the demon” they believed was causing my seizures. It struck me then—these people genuinely wanted to help, but they didn’t know how.

That moment left a deep impression on me. I realized that while I couldn’t control having epilepsy, I could do something about the lack of understanding and support that surrounded it. Instead of waiting for a solution, I decided to become a creator of solutions.

That’s when I started working on the Seizure Assistant app. At first, it was just a panic mode feature that sent out an SOS to a trusted person, played an alert sound, and shared basic first-aid instructions. Over time, it evolved into something much bigger—an entire platform to support people with epilepsy.

That same realization also led me to establish The Purple Glow Foundation. I wanted to address not just the practical challenges of living with epilepsy, but also the myths, stigma, and lack of awareness that make life harder for people like me. Looking back, that moment of confusion and helplessness became the turning point that transformed my pain into purpose.

Bright, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

My name is Bright M. Bwalya, and I am the founder and CEO of The Purple Glow Foundation, an institution dedicated to epilepsy and mental health awareness, advocacy, and support. I am also the innovator behind the Seizure Assistant, a groundbreaking health tech solution designed to improve the lives of people living with epilepsy.

My journey into this field began with my own personal battle with epilepsy, which started after a traumatic experience of being excessively tasered during an abduction. Living with epilepsy opened my eyes to the challenges that many others face—stigma, misinformation, and a lack of accessible care. One defining moment came when I woke up from a seizure to find people praying over me, believing it to be caused by a “demon.” It was in that moment that I decided to stop waiting for solutions and start creating them myself.

This realization led to the development of the Seizure Assistant app. Initially, it had a single feature: a panic mode that sent out SOS alerts, shared first-aid instructions, and played an emergency sound to attract attention. Over time, with the support of research grants and collaborations, the app has grown into a comprehensive platform that includes medication reminders, seizure detection through smartwatches and neuro-detectors, remote medication refills, and even AI-powered answers to epilepsy-related questions.

Through The Purple Glow Foundation, I’ve extended my mission to include awareness campaigns in schools, workplaces, and hospitals, as well as remote training for healthcare providers in epilepsy diagnosis and care. We also provide counseling services and skills training for people living with epilepsy to empower them to lead fulfilling lives.

What sets us apart is our focus on practical, tech-driven solutions and our commitment to tackling the stigma surrounding epilepsy. I understand, firsthand, how misinformation can hinder proper care, which is why education is at the heart of everything we do.

One of my proudest achievements is seeing the impact of our work in Zambia, where access to neurological care is limited, with only 13 neurologists in the entire country. By bridging this gap through technology, advocacy, and partnerships, I feel we are truly making a difference.

To anyone learning about me or my work for the first time, I want you to know this: my mission is personal. My experiences have shaped every step of my journey, and I am driven by a desire to ensure that no one feels as helpless or misunderstood as I once did. Whether it’s through innovative health tech solutions, awareness campaigns, or simply showing others that life with epilepsy can be managed, I am committed to being part of the solution.

We’d appreciate any insights you can share with us about selling a business.

Resilience, for me, has been more than just enduring challenges—it’s been about transforming them into opportunities for change. My journey with epilepsy began after I was excessively tasered during an abduction, an experience that altered my life forever. The seizures that followed were unpredictable and life-altering, forcing me to navigate not only a medical condition but also the stigma and misconceptions surrounding it.

One defining moment in my journey was waking up from a seizure to find people gathered around me, praying and attempting to “cast out the demon.” In that moment, I realized that while people wanted to help, they didn’t know how. Instead of being angry or defeated, I chose to turn my struggle into a mission.

I founded The Purple Glow Foundation to spread awareness and provide support to people living with epilepsy. I also developed Seizure Assistant, an award-winning digital platform designed to help patients manage their condition, avoid medication errors, and receive emergency assistance when needed. What started as a simple idea has grown into an internationally recognized initiative, empowering countless individuals.

Living with epilepsy has not been easy. There were moments of doubt, frustration, and isolation. But each challenge reinforced my determination to ensure that others facing the same condition do not have to go through it alone. My journey is proof that even in the face of adversity, we can rise, innovate, and create a better world for others.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

For a long time, I believed that strength meant handling everything on my own. Growing up, I thought resilience was about pushing through challenges without asking for help—facing struggles silently and proving I could manage. But epilepsy changed that perspective completely.

At first, I tried to deal with my condition in isolation, refusing to let it slow me down or define me. I didn’t want to be seen as weak, so I ignored the warning signs, overworked myself, and even resisted seeking support when I needed it. The turning point came when I had a seizure in public, and instead of judgment, I was met with concern. People around me wanted to help but didn’t know how. That was when I realized something critical: true strength isn’t about enduring alone—it’s about allowing others in, educating them, and building a support system.

This shift in mindset led me to create The Purple Glow Foundation and Seizure Assistant, not just to support myself, but to ensure others didn’t have to struggle in silence either. I had to unlearn the idea that asking for help was a weakness and embrace the fact that real resilience is built through community, knowledge, and shared strength.

This lesson continues to shape me, reminding me that impact is greater when we uplift each other rather than carry the weight alone.

Contact Info:

• Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100086265895825; https://web.facebook.com/ryt.bwalya/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/