Kayati Rising Above Challenges
Jan 22 | Women's Tennis
By Frank Kineavy
ScarletKnights.com
PISCATAWAY, N.J. -- Sports often serve as a revealing insight into the fortitude that an individual possesses; how one responds from defeat, how one interacts with teammates, and how one strives to reach the pinnacle of one's ability.
For Rutgers junior women's tennis player Lindsey Kayati, the trials and tribulations that occur in every match go beyond the action between the lines.
At age 13, Kayati was diagnosed with epilepsy, a disease of the brain causing severe seizures. People with epilepsy may suffer multiple seizures within a 24-hour period. The diagnosis came just as Kayati was blossoming into a potential college tennis player. As a newly-turned teenager, Kayati was uncertain if the news of her diagnosis would keep her from competing at the game she loved.
"I realized that I could be capable of playing Division 1 tennis when I was pretty young, but there was a time briefly when I was first diagnosed that I (was afraid I) might not be able to compete," said Kayati. "It was more in that we didn't know if physical exertion was what was causing my seizures. I knew that if I worked hard and didn't give up on my dreams that I could do anything."
As the years went on, Kayati and her family got to the point where they were able to manage the condition enough where she could pursue her dream.
In the fall of 2012, the Monroeville, N.J. native enrolled at Rutgers, earning a scholarship to play on the women's tennis team for coach Ben Bucca.
As a college sophomore, Kayati came into her own, going 16-5 as a singles player, and 4-0 in her lone tour in the American Athletic Conference. Even though the results hint at a seamless transition, the journey this 20-year-old has gone on during her college experience has had its share of turbulence.
"I have experienced Lindsay have more than one episode with her epilepsy," said Bucca. "It is immediately apparent that it takes quite a toll on her, both mentally and physically.
"However, every time this has occurred Lindsay has bounced back in a short period of time. She does not allow her epilepsy to limit her in any way. She has a great attitude."
What often makes it challenging for Kayati to manage her schedule is the uncertainty of how her condition will affect her on a daily basis. She has no way of knowing when a seizure will occur.
"The scariest part for people like me, who don't know exactly what causes their seizures, is not knowing when a seizure can occur," she said.
That uncertainty, coupled with her tight academic and medical schedule, has often made her adjustment to college a difficult one both in the classroom and around campus.
"With all the doctor's appointments, tennis practice, and school work, it has been hard to get involved. But I still try my best to meet new people around campus because I believe that's an essential part to having a good college experience," Kayati said. "Epilepsy also has taken a toll on my cognitive functions. Whereas some students may put `x' amount of hours into studying each week I usually find myself studying for twice that amount of time to retain what I had learned in class."
Sports can often provide great perspective on life. The struggle that Kayati goes through every day has taught her that every day is precious.
"My goals for the upcoming season aren't just about putting up more `Ws' than `Ls' for the team," she said. "They're more about being the best teammate to the girls as possible because the one thing epilepsy has taught me is that you shouldn't take anything or anyone for granted because tomorrow it all could be gone in the blink of an eye."
Bucca said Kayati has managed to rise above her medical condition to excel in the sport she loves.
"Lindsay is a very hard working and disciplined athlete," Bucca said. "She always comes to practice ready to play and always puts forth her best effort.
"She also has the unique ability to play her best tennis in matches. One of the great challenges in tennis is to play as well in a match as you play in practice. Fortunately for Lindsey and for Rutgers tennis, competition brings out the best in her game."
Kayati and her teammates begin the spring tennis season with a match against FDU-Florham on Feb. 5, 2015, at the East Brunswick Racquet Club in East Brunswick, N.J.
Players Mentioned
