"I have been asked to write about myself and my epilepsy. I don't think people realize how difficult this is going to be because of my depression and the trouble I have with my thought process of recalling words. But I’m going to give this a try!
I've had epilepsy for over 25 years. I have my business associates from Purdue, as well as, an online web technology degree. College wasn't easy with the many limitations of epilepsy, but I stayed strong and listened to my mother and husband telling me to finish what I paid for!
Seizures have been the “easy” part of living with epilepsy. The side effects of the medication, depression, memory loss, and the limitations in my everyday life have been very difficult. Because of the seizures and medications, I have little memory of my life growing up. After some of my complex partial seizures, I often sleep for a day or two.
Many people don't realize the side effects of living with epilepsy. You can't help but feel scared and depressed. Sometimes your seizures can be controlled, but that doesn't mean the fear goes away, and it’s not just a fear of the seizures. There’s the fear of being alone and isolated. The fear of failure. The fear of the side effects. The fear of having a seizure in public. The fear of telling others about your epilepsy. The list goes on. My seizures have been a rollercoaster. There have been times that I have gone months without a having s seizure, only to be faced with my epilepsy once again. I never know when I’m going to have a seizure and I live, day to day, wondering if it’s going to be a good day or a bad day.
I have been blessed to have this condition . Blessed? Yes! Epilepsy has made me who I am today. I am stronger and smarter than most people realize. If it wasn’t for epilepsy, I wouldn't have the family and friends I have right now. I have realized who to count as my true friends and family. I wouldn't be here without them. 💜💜💜"