Epilepsy Talk

Please Feel Free To Repost My Articles IF… | August 2, 2016

I recently came across an article in an independent publication called “Weird Epilepsy Triggers”.

The article seemed awfully familiar to me at first — and then, sickeningly, I realized that the site had copied an Epilepsy Talk article.

Word for word.

Not only did the site fail to attribute the article to me or Epilepsy Talk— but it ran the piece with an “Admin” byline, implying that the site administrator had written the piece.

There is a word for this: plagiarism. It’s not legal, not right and every time I see it happen — this wasn’t the first time — it hurts me a lot.

Look. As you know, I don’t do this website for material gain. I run no ads, make no money from it, and devote most of my waking hours to it, simply as a labor of love.

But this doesn’t mean I’m not proud of the pieces I write. My name is Phylis Feiner Johnson, and I’m a real, breathing human being, with human feelings.

And I’m not okay with plagiarism.

If anyone reading this wants to quote one of my pieces — in part or in whole — that’s great.

My colleagues on other websites and Facebook pages have shared them often.

But there’s a right way to do this. Common courtesy dictates that you:

1. Place a byline on the piece that attributes the source to my name and the link to EpilepsyTalk.com. (As Facebook does.)

2. And if you’re an independent publication, please ASK ME. I nearly always say “yes” when the request comes from a not-for-profit site or page.

Okay? Please do continue to quote and reproduce my pieces. But when you do — ask first. And run my byline.

Thanks so much.

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Posted in Epilepsy, Tips
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23 Comments »

  1. Good afternoon Phylis,

    How unfortunate some “opportunists” out there with no regard for someone’s articles & only want to take all the credit….shame, shame , shame on whomever you are !!!

    Phylis has really touched my heart & soul after losing my Twin Brother Allan to a seizure & has given me so much wisdom on this medical diagnosis. I now realize how lonely my brother must have been & all so fearful of when or where the next seizure would come.

    May God Bless You Phylis & everyone out there who reads your so well written articles with tremendously valuable information is NOT going unnoticed I can assure you.

    So whatever COWARD out there has attempted to take advantage of this divine ladies passion to empower others…STOP IT & at least send her an email with an APOLOGY….it’s the least you should do!!

    Your Friend in HOT Southern Ontario, California

    AJ

    P.S. Phylis, you’re not traveling this journey we call life alone. I think of you daily & include you & your family in my prayers & I am VERY APPRECIATIVE of your Website.

    Liked by 2 people

    Comment by AL "AJ" Johnson — August 2, 2016 @ 6:30 PM

    Reply

  2. Oh AJ, what wonderful words, especially coming from you and all you’ve been through.

    They really touched my heart.

    Liked by 1 person

    Comment by Phylis Feiner Johnson — August 2, 2016 @ 6:44 PM

    Reply

    • You’re quite welcome & every word I typed is well-deserved by you.

      Life is full of so many twists & turns & somehow some way I was extremely fortunate to have found your site, which really gave me enough emotional strength after the sudden loss of my Twin Allan.

      As the saying goes “always something good comes out of something bad” or as another Cliche goes “as one door may close another door will open” & your articles mean VERY MUCH TO ME I can assure you!

      At least now my wife & I have our Living Trust, Pour Over Will, Advance Healthcare Directives & have Purchased our Final Affairs because of his sudden passing.

      I just wish I had enough courage to go out to the VA Cemetery in Riverside, CA to pay my respects & maybe later on this week. I am surrounded by family & friends that continue to say “just get over it” & much easier said than done ! At least my final resting place will be in that same cemetery (columbarium for cremated remains) & will have the same full U S Air Force Military Honors Ceremony as my brother had (we served together at the same air bases both Stateside & in the Middle East -Turkey).

      One final comment & please forgive me Phylis for rambling on & on ….everyone out there that reads this fine woman’s column …PLEASE tell your family & friends how much you LOVE them, because as I always say ” today is a gift & tomorrow is a hope” & our lives are very short so give it your all.

      Your friend,

      AJ

      P.S. I will ask that if there is anyone reading my comments who belongs to a “support group” in Southern California to please reach out to me & give me the name , address & contact information. Thanks.

      My email: ajgolfnut5@gmail.com

      Like

      Comment by AL "AJ" Johnson — August 2, 2016 @ 6:57 PM

      Reply

  3. Phyllis were all thankful for you each and everyone of us !!!

    Like

    Comment by judyjudy01985 — August 2, 2016 @ 6:56 PM

    Reply

  4. I am writing a book about a man in prison who has epilepsy. “Inside The Forbidden Outside” and the first draft is about done. I also have a newsletter recently started 4 months ago. I use many types of articles that pertain to what he goes through in prison and racism, and prison guard abuse, his son, lack of medical care and how the prison treats his epilepsy, which would make you cringe. Because I, too, write, I could never see stealing someone else’s work. I make no money, either, yet it takes more than the full time hours of a paid job. I am putting my next issue together. I haven’t used an article yet that is focused on epilepsy so I will be back shortly and see it there is something good I can put in and give a link back to your original article. I believe it takes all of us helping each other with our projects of love to succeed.

    Like

    Comment by SonniQ — August 2, 2016 @ 7:22 PM

    Reply

    • Oh Sonni, how right you are!

      Thanks for the encouragement and good luck on your newsletter and your book.

      I don’t know if you’ve seen it before, but you might be interested in this article:

      Prison Abuse

      Prison Abuse

      Liked by 1 person

      Comment by Phylis Feiner Johnson — August 3, 2016 @ 8:53 AM

      Reply

      • No, I had not seen that article. It makes me ill to know how ignorant some people are. I’m doing the newsletter right now. I can send it to you or give you the blog link because it will post there, too. I have lost sleep worrying, wondering how many seizures can one person have before it fries their brain. Some of the things they have done to him – like cuff his wrist and ankles so THEY don’t get hurt, or let him just lay there for hours because they don’t want to do the paperwork. I think I may have told you that recently they cuffed him and carried him facedown a flight of stairs because they didn’t feel like getting the board and strap him in on his side. If he had had another episode while they carried him like that he would have landed on his face. He has cracked his skull open and broken his teeth off. What is next?

        Like

        Comment by SonniQ — August 3, 2016 @ 6:43 PM

  5. Phylis,

    Thank you for writing the helpful articles on epilepsy. Your informative articles help those of us living with this challenging neurological disorder feel less alone, as well as understood.

    Blessings as you continue to raise awareness and educate others about epilepsy and seizure disorders.

    Warm Regards, Elizabeth

    Liked by 1 person

    Comment by Elizabeth Niedringhaus — August 3, 2016 @ 12:30 AM

    Reply

    • Elizabeth, I’m glad you can take away some understanding from my articles.

      And I hope that I can continue to be of help.

      Like

      Comment by Phylis Feiner Johnson — August 3, 2016 @ 9:07 AM

      Reply

  6. I’m so sorry this happened to you Phylis! You provide a great service to the epilepsy community. Thank you very much!

    Like

    Comment by Soo Ihm — August 3, 2016 @ 1:28 AM

    Reply

  7. Thank you Soo — and thank you ALL — for your support, care, compassion and understanding.

    It means so much to me to have you by my side.

    Like

    Comment by Phylis Feiner Johnson — August 3, 2016 @ 9:03 AM

    Reply

  8. I learned a lot from you,keep it up.

    Like

    Comment by michele metzger — August 3, 2016 @ 4:25 PM

    Reply

  9. Thanks so much Michele.

    Like

    Comment by Phylis Feiner Johnson — August 4, 2016 @ 11:46 AM

    Reply

  10. Sonni, perhaps you might say “murder”?

    Send me the blog link — please.

    Like

    Comment by Phylis Feiner Johnson — August 4, 2016 @ 11:51 AM

    Reply

  11. Thank you for the opportunity to share your wisdom and insight.. When I do share the article I asked you about, your name and site will be all over it!

    Liked by 1 person

    Comment by Lynn McPherson Palmer — November 26, 2021 @ 9:10 AM

    Reply

  12. Phyllis, I am so sorry someone did that. I hope you put them in their place. I hope they have the decency to apologize.
    I think it’s unfair that they used your article to their advantage. Godbless.

    Liked by 1 person

    Comment by Vickie Roy — November 26, 2021 @ 12:52 PM

    Reply

  13. I’ve lived with epilepsy for years. It’s lots of work making sure everything is just right. Try so hard, then BOOM I’ll have a seizure. Oh well. Only these people UNDERSTAND 🤩

    Liked by 1 person

    Comment by Ronda — April 10, 2022 @ 2:18 PM

    Reply

    • A lot of times, it’s only people “like us”. For every person you’re able to educate, thank your lucky stars.

      Like

      Comment by Phylis Feiner Johnson — April 10, 2022 @ 2:21 PM

      Reply

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    About the author

    Phylis Feiner Johnson

    Phylis Feiner Johnson

    I've been a professional copywriter for over 35 years. I also had epilepsy for decades. My mission is advocacy; to increase education, awareness and funding for epilepsy research. Together, we can make a huge difference. If not changing the world, at least helping each other, with wisdom, compassion and sharing.

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