Hunter Tylo on son: "You're not going to forget"

When The Bold and the Beautiful actress Hunter Tylo lost her son Michael Edward Tylo II last October, she felt she’d never recover from the nightmare. "I can’t even tell you the feeling," Hunter recently told PEOPLE Magazine of her 19-year-old’s epileptic seizure, which led to his accidental drowning. "In your deepest gut you want to believe this is a dream."

Now, however, the devoted mother is turning her loss into a source of inspiration. A spokeswoman for the American Epilepsy Outreach Foundation, Hunter was on hand to present the "Mickey Tylo Butterfly Award" at the group’s first annual Wings of Hope Benefit on June 13 in Chicago. Celebrating those who are making great strides toward epilepsy awareness, the organization honored Illinois resident Dr. Roy Sucholeiki, neurology specialist and medical director ofCentral DuPage Hospital’s Comprehensive Seizure and Epilepsy Program.

In her new role with the group, Hunter hopes to raise awareness about epilepsy, which affects more than 3 million Americans.

"As all of the loss pain dissipates, you start to see, like Ihave, the purpose of that person’s life," she says. "That’s the feelingyou have to cling on to."

Source: PEOPLE Magazine; Photo by Jordan Strauss/WireImage.com.

Comments

I’m very glad she could turn her tragedy into something hopeful, helpful, and encouraging. She could have just shut down, but instead she’s trying to raise awareness. I really admire her for that.

- JennB on June 21st, 2008

She is so strong following such a tragedy. Hunter has an important message to deliver and I am sure that she will raise awareness.

- carla at somethingaboutbaby.com on June 21st, 2008

Goodness it is still hard to look @ Hunter, pls no more face cosmetic surgery!

I’m glad she is doing better. I hope Chris is doin better too; as I read he felt it was his fault since he was the only one home with Mickey when he has his seizure.

- csc on June 21st, 2008

Jeez, easy on this poor woman, please! She’s a former supermodel and has worked in Hollywood forever, and she has to maintain her appearance in order to maintain her income. Clearly she has experienced the most devastating loss one can ever know. That she is publicly articulating her way of directing the pain positively is admirable.

- Sasha on June 22nd, 2008

My heart still aches for Hunter, but I must praise her for taking the steps toward epilepsy awareness. I truly don’t know how she finds the strength. I commend you, Hunter!

- hunterfan on June 23rd, 2008

I admire Hunter so much for her strength and always wish her the very best.

- HunterFan on August 22nd, 2008