I never met anyone with epilepsy until I was 29.
And that was a best friend of my husband’s. (Which may explain why Arthur didn’t freak out when I had a seizure on our first date!)
That was it. Beginning and end.
Almost everybody has a wish for their birthday.
This month I turn 71. And a contribution to the Epilepsy Foundation Eastern PA is my birthday gift wish.
For me, it’s living.
There was a time when I truly wanted to die.
Life was so out of control and I was so desperate, I saw death as the only way out.
Death was my siren song…whispering to me every day.
A wise woman once told me:
“When you wake up in the morning — before you get out of bed — think of 5 (or 10!) things that you’re really grateful for.”
(I think 10 is a bit of a stretch.)
That simple advice, changed my attitude. And my life.
Sometimes my hands shake so much, I look like I’m leading a symphony. (Without a baton.) Legs too, I have to sit down.
Maybe you panic before a test, the very fear of having a seizure, social rejection, job anxieties, debt, fear of failure, an anticipated argument, holidays, fear of flying.
Or the daunting prospect of being alone without any support system. Or even death itself.
There are probably as many kinds of stress and panic attacks as there are those of us who suffer from them.
We have so much to be grateful for, especially me:
A wise woman once told me:
“When you wake up in the morning — before you get out of bed — think of 5 (or 10!) things that you’re really grateful for.”
(I think 10 is a bit of a stretch.)
That simple advice, changed my attitude. And my life.
The diagnosis comes in. It’s epilepsy.
Your heart drops to the bottom of your stomach. You may panic…or cry…or call in the troops for support.
Whether your child is an infant, toddler, grade schooler, adolescent or young adult, how you behave now will make a world of difference to their future.
Here are some resources to help you help your child…
Below are some helpful epilepsy links — websites for support, awareness and useful information.