Epilepsy Talk

Lefties Unite! | August 17, 2019

So you have epilepsy. And you’re left-handed. Is it a curse…a blessing…or a challenge?

Well, you’re not exactly alone.

Between six and sixteen percent of people today are left-handed. And guess what? 

Left-handedness is also associated with a higher incidence of epilepsy. Gee, what a surprise!

But, here’s the good news…

There have been lots of famous left-handed people.

And the associated right brain hemisphere that is said to be more active in left-handed people has been found to often be associated with genius, artistic and visual skill.

Here are just a few inspiring examples of lefties: Kermit the Frog… Bart Simpson…Jerry Seinfeld…Charlie Chaplin…Greta Garbo (my personal favorite)…Cary Grant…Angelina Jolie…Tom Cruise…Marilyn Monroe…Joan of Arc… Helen Keller…Alexander the Great…Napoléon Bonaparte…The Boston Strangler…Lewis Carroll…Michelangelo…Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, (“We love you, yeah, yeah, yeah”)…and Barack Obama.

Quite an illustrious group!

Left-Handed Myths: left-handed people have a shorter lifespan because of mental confusion that leads to accidents and injuries (???)…we have demonic traits…we’re immoral and unholy…we’re clumsy (Well you don’t have to be a lefty to be clumsy!)…and we have less of a chance of surviving hand-to-hand combat!

Left-Handed Facts: left-handed people are high achievers…plus lefties are good at problem solving and multitasking, because we’re good at breaking down information and finding solutions.

Unfriendly Tools for Lefties: it’s a right-handed world and many tools are designed without lefties in mind…(We’ve already have had plenty of experience with these!)

For example: potato peelers, corkscrews, rulers, scissors, number keys on keyboards, cameras, guitars, the computer mouse, watches, checkbooks, measuring cups and pencil sharpeners.

Lefty-Friendly Devices: Left-handed golf clubs. So, if you play golf, you’ve got it made in the shade!  Just look at the famous left-handed-playing golfer, Phil Mickelson!

But just like having epilepsy, we adapt.

And society is coming around to seeing things our way.

The increasing number of lefties springing up in the 21st century has society believing that we could increase intellectual advance and create a leap in the number of mathematical, sporting, or artistic geniuses.

Lefties Rule! Where would the world be without us?

Righties, you are free to defend yourself…

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Resources:

http://www.indiana.edu/~primate/left.html

http://www.disabled-world.com/artman/publish/epilepsy-famous.shtml

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Left-handed

http://www.jrmooneyham.com/left.html

http://www.buzzle.com/articles/myths-and-facts-about-left-handed-people.html

Posted in Epilepsy, Research
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18 Comments »

  1. Never once thought to associate my Epilepsy to being left handed, neither has my consultant ever associated the two and that’s after 22 years 🤷‍♀️

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    Liked by 1 person

    Comment by Jacqueline Goodwin — August 17, 2019 @ 2:52 PM

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    • I never considered it either, until I came across some research.

      Just because you have epilepsy, doesn’t make you prone to left-handedness.

      I think it’s just a (happy) coincidence.

      And, of course, I’m left-handed! 🙂

      Like

      Comment by Phylis Feiner Johnson — August 17, 2019 @ 2:59 PM

      Reply

  2. For what it’s worth, I’m left-handed too. I have always been proud of that, so maybe I can adopt this attitude over to my epilepsy! George

    Liked by 1 person

    Comment by George Choyce — August 17, 2019 @ 3:17 PM

    Reply

  3. As you know: Lefties rule! 🙂

    And so does YOUR noble attitude to your epilepsy.

    Like

    Comment by Phylis Feiner Johnson — August 17, 2019 @ 3:19 PM

    Reply

  4. I believe lefties are special, we were given the talent, to do things with our left hand foot. I believe I was given Epilepsy for a reason. I do not feel bad about that anymore. I help my peers. I advocate for myself and others. Lefties are special.

    Liked by 1 person

    Comment by Epilepsylovesupport — August 17, 2019 @ 6:42 PM

    Reply

  5. Lefties are the best of all the rest! 🙂

    And so are you for your positive attitude…

    Like

    Comment by Phylis Feiner Johnson — August 17, 2019 @ 7:15 PM

    Reply

  6. Phylis,, Again like several months ago, I can’t seem to be able to add ANYTHING in the comment box & I am clicking on POST. C D ,,, James / Craig Davis

    Liked by 1 person

    Comment by jcdavis@hardynet.com — August 17, 2019 @ 7:36 PM

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  7. Well whatever, C D. It’s still great to hear from you.

    I’ve missed you…

    Like

    Comment by Phylis Feiner Johnson — August 17, 2019 @ 8:52 PM

    Reply

  8. I’m not a leftie, but the right side of my brain is the source of my Epilepsy. Maybe that’s why I have always been high functioning. My younger sister though is a leftie. Think my brain is just confused. LOL. I guess I will just be one of the unique ones that the brain goes against the norm. LOL.

    Liked by 2 people

    Comment by trekkie80sgirl — August 18, 2019 @ 3:26 PM

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  9. You ARE extraordinary. We all know that! 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Comment by Phylis Feiner Johnson — August 18, 2019 @ 6:45 PM

    Reply

  10. The Simpsons has a good sized population of lefties ^_^ I found this list on their wiki, lol 🙂

    Left-handed Characters

    Ned Flanders
    Moe Szyslak
    Bart Simpson
    Dolph Starbeam
    Charles Montgomery Burns
    Krusty The Clown
    Old Jewish Man
    Martin Prince
    Apu Nahasapeemapetilon
    Clancy Wiggum
    Jasper Beardly
    Bumblebee Man
    Seymour Skinner
    Nick Riviera
    Herman Hermann
    Jonathan Frink
    Lucille Botzcowski
    Ralph Wiggum
    Lenny Leonard
    Luigi Risotto
    Akira
    Larry
    Lindsey Naegle
    Sam
    Jimmy the Scumbag

    Liked by 1 person

    Comment by Liz Caldwell — September 22, 2019 @ 6:04 PM

    Reply

  11. I LOVE IT!

    Thanks Liz.

    (Jimmy the Scumbag???)

    Like

    Comment by Phylis Feiner Johnson — September 22, 2019 @ 7:48 PM

    Reply

    • He only shows up in a handful of episodes. His character is an auto-dial telemarketer. One of the criminals who falls for the “Free Boat” scam by the police department 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Comment by Liz Caldwell — September 22, 2019 @ 7:55 PM

      Reply

  12. I believe the people on their list are either seen shopping at The Leftorium, or make it known in an episode by doing or saying something.

    I couldn’t find anything about characters with epilepsy… Maybe we should message the show’s writers…? It’d be a great awareness episode!

    Liked by 1 person

    Comment by Liz Caldwell — September 22, 2019 @ 8:27 PM

    Reply

  13. Liz, I like your thinking!

    Like

    Comment by Phylis Feiner Johnson — September 22, 2019 @ 11:29 PM

    Reply

  14. I’m left-handed as well. As others have mentioned, I never associated my epilepsy with the fact that I’m left-handed — none of my doctors have ever caught on to this either. I was diagnosed at age 15 but have never been ashamed of having epilepsy. I now wonder if me being left-handed has anything to do with my brain tumor (also found at age 15) that is the main cause my epilepsy…?? With practice and time, even before I was diagnosed, I learned to use certain tools with my right hand (i.e. scissors) and other tasks I can perform with either hand

    Liked by 1 person

    Comment by Gwen Soergel — May 30, 2022 @ 8:24 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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