Giving Thanks

Epilepsy News From: Thursday, November 20, 2014

Community Corner: November 20, 2014

As the holiday season approaches, it may be hard to get in the holiday spirit if you or a loved one are struggling with the challenges of epilepsy. You may not feel well enough to participate or feel emotionally overwhelmed, unhappy or down. Is there a way to change this?  

Often, how we act influences how we feel and how we feel contributes to how we act. What if we changed how we act? Instead of thinking about what is not going right or what bothers us, consider focusing on what is going right or what we do have. Giving thanks for what we have is one way of changing how we feel and act. In other words, use gratitude to help your attitude!

What are some things we can show gratitude for?

  • Family - who have shown support in good times and bad. Epilepsy is a family affair. It’s as hard on family members as it is on an individual, just in a different way.  We don’t say thank you often enough to you. Or maybe we take frustration out on you.  Sorry for that and thank you for being there!
  • Friends and acquaintances who may fill a void for people without immediate family.  And who support families without question or hesitation. You may not realize how important the little acts of kindness are. They mean so much.
  • School nurses, teachers and other school personnel – your impact is immeasurable. How you act and treat students with seizures lets others know what to do. Helping a student reach their potential and not let epilepsy stand in their way is even more important. You are role models for your students and other adults. Thank you!
  • People who help during or after a seizure- by holding hands, offering reassuring words, keeping us safe, or calling for help. It’s so important to come to after a seizure and see a kind face and hear kind words. Ambulance drivers, emergency medical technicians, emergency room staff – people with seizures hate to see you, but are so thankful that you are there.
  • People who give us rides if we can’t drive, do errands for us, or go with us to appointments. This can take a lot of time and we realize you don’t have to do it, but you do. Thank you.
  • People who let us vent and cry on a bad day, or laugh and celebrate a day without seizures. Just being there is so important. You don’t need to fix things, just listen and be there.
  • Counselors and caregivers. You give so much to children and adults with seizures. You are on the “front line,” helping us learn life skills. Or just helping us at home on daily activities. What would we do without you? Thank you!
  • Health care professionals – the doctors, nurses and other health care professionals who see us at our most difficult times and help us get stronger. Thank you for listening and trying to make sense of an unpredictable and confusing illness. Don’t give up when a treatment isn’t working. We need you to stick with us and help us find a better treatment. Thank you for pushing us too – to not settle for the “status quo” and for encouraging us to take steps that may be outside of our comfort zone.
  • Researchers – you continue to seek answers to what causes epilepsy, what is going on in the brain, how to stop seizures and other problems that may occur because of epilepsy. Thank you for doing this! Thank you to the researchers who develop new therapies, devices, and other kinds of help for people with epilepsy. It’s an exciting time with so much potential. Thank you for your new ideas and willingness to try new things!
  • People who educate and advocate for epilepsy and seizures. Do you know how important you are? Your willingness to speak up and make a difference is desperately needed and appreciated! You truly make a difference by raising awareness about epilepsy so it’s no longer hidden from public view. For raising funds for care and research and for fighting to end discrimination and improve access to care and all aspects of life for people with epilepsy and other disabilities.
  • The Epilepsy Foundation and all the organizations – nonprofit, state and federal – that support people with epilepsy. A huge thank you for all you do.  Don’t stop. There is so much more to do.
  • People living with epilepsy – thank you for your courage, patience, and strength. You teach so much by example.  You are an inspiration to all!

Thank you for being part of the epilepsy.com community and sharing your support with so many.

With best wishes and gratitude,

Patty Osborne Shafer RN, MN
Associate Editor/Community Manager

Authored by

Patty Obsorne Shafer RN, MN

Reviewed Date

Wednesday, November 19, 2014

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