In 1976, I experienced my first seizure. I was in my high school hallway between
classes (read: teens all around),
having felt all morning as though I was disconnected, somehow reading
everyone’s minds. What an aura.
The next thing I knew I was in the Concord, NH, hospital,
while they tried to determine if I was “an epileptic.” And so began my feeling of being the other,
of being weird, and of humiliation. My cognitive abilities just weren’t what they used to be.
Was it the epilepsy or the Phenobarbital? Regardless, it was me, and I was less of a
person to my way of thinking.
Fairly soon, I moved onto more effective meds, which allowed
me control. My self-esteem stayed
damaged, though, and, like so many, I hid my condition. I only dealt with it when I would forget to
take pills and have a full-out grand mall seizure – usually with people who
didn’t expect it because, that’s right, I hadn’t told them about my epilepsy.
What a waste. Not
only was I in a dangerous part of the shadows, I wasn’t handling the root of my
problem, the stigma. Furthermore I was
missing out on an opportunity to help many others’ find their way out of their uneasiness
about epilepsy by giving them the information they need to view it realistically.
As time went on, I had seizures every few years, but only
when I forgot to take my meds. Because I
was covering up my epilepsy, I hadn’t told people around me at work or even
good friends that I have epilepsy. It
was a shock to all when I had seizures. And I owe apologies for having put the people who spent so much time with me through my tonic-clonic episodes without alerting them and coaching on how to respond.
Growing weary of my self-diminishing secrecy, I decided it
was time for a change, but only after 36 years had passed. What a waste it had been. I looked for opportunities to tell others with
whom I had established relationships that I have epilepsy, how common a
condition it is, and how to help someone having a
seizure. I found openings when asked
what my medical bracelet was for and waited for other appropriate moments to
begin spreading the word.
It got easier and easier, and a common belief began to bear
out: The stigma against epilepsy
partially lies in others’ fears. I could
see many of their bodies clenching when I initially told them. However,
as I spoke to them and they learned facts —especially about what to do
if a tonic-clonic seizure strikes – they began to ease. Granted, these may be especially open-minded
people, but it did bolster my courage to continue on. And I’ve found that almost all those I’ve
told haven’t let me down.
I'm blessed with being able to control my tonic-clonic seizures via medication. Nonetheless, I hid my seizure condition for 36 years. Finally tired of the stigma against epilepsy, I said "no" to staying in hiding, choosing apt moments (ideally somewhat casual ones) to tell people with whom I have an established relationship, of my epilepsy.
The stigma against epilepsy is culturally based, as well as a product of ignorance. It's up to us, through our open discussions and abilities to teach others about this not-so-rare condition, to start to change the unfounded perceptions about epilepsy, do away with the stigma.
For the good of you, for the good of all, we need to speak the truth.
If you want to get in touch to talk about the ideas on this blog, please don’t hold back. You can reach me at @LightEpilepsy or zettera.az@gmail.com. I look forward to hearing from you!
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