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Epilepsy and the burdens of not driving.

Thu, 06/13/2013 - 13:17
Here's a link to my newest blog post about my struggles with losing my license due to seizures. I'd appreciate it you could read it and shar it on FB or Twitter if you like it. Thanks in advance! http://ktslagle.wordpress.com/2013/06/13/driving-miss-katie/ Here's another link to blog post about living with epilepsy. http://ktslagle.wordpress.com/2013/06/05/the-epileptic-werewolf/ Thanks friends.

Comments

Re: Epilepsy and the burdens of not driving.

Submitted by mcm on Sun, 2013-06-16 - 17:57
Driving was a primary reason for surgery. work transportation freedom is imperitive. and It is my understanding that it is only a legal disabilty if you can not do your job. Also if you think in relative terms you spend a fraction of your time driving, so having an accident after long term siezure remission is statistically very small, almost to the point of an accident everyone is subject to. Also, whenever you are with someone have them be the primary driver, I only drive to work and the grocery store. If we want to go out to eat for example then friend or family member will drive. I never drive when I have an option. My dr. And I are confident, actually he is more confident than I am that I'm safe.

Re: Epilepsy and the burdens of not driving.

Submitted by just_joe on Thu, 2013-07-04 - 17:58

I have epilepsy and have had it for 50 years. I had been seizure free for 3 years and was studying for my drivers license when I had a seizure. I also know where your parents are comming from. I too was being protected because my parents wouldn't let me join the team and play football. So i became the manager. I know how to drive and have in emergencies. When I was a teen I wanted to drive and go places. Most of my dates I had a taxi driver on standby so I know where you are comming from. Your parents are doing what they think is best for you. You do ned to understand that athesma and diabeties have little to do with what goes on in a seizure. Depending on the type of seizure you have depends on the length of time you may be a hazard. I have partial seizures and those take split seconds to last but they can go longer than 10 seconds. Focusing after then take additional time. For those split seconds you are driving could cause a wreck. I have been seizure free several times in my life and sergury can not be preformed on me because the damage is in more than 1 lobe.

Understand that you have a disability that people can't see but you have to deal with. I also know that there have been people like you that were free of seizures after sergury that had them later. Talk to your doctor and have him talk to your parents is the best thing I could tell you and deal with decissions htat are made for your protection.

I have epilepsy and have had it for 50 years. I had been seizure free for 3 years and was studying for my drivers license when I had a seizure. I also know where your parents are comming from. I too was being protected because my parents wouldn't let me join the team and play football. So i became the manager. I know how to drive and have in emergencies. When I was a teen I wanted to drive and go places. Most of my dates I had a taxi driver on standby so I know where you are comming from. Your parents are doing what they think is best for you. You do ned to understand that athesma and diabeties have little to do with what goes on in a seizure. Depending on the type of seizure you have depends on the length of time you may be a hazard. I have partial seizures and those take split seconds to last but they can go longer than 10 seconds. Focusing after then take additional time. For those split seconds you are driving could cause a wreck. I have been seizure free several times in my life and sergury can not be preformed on me because the damage is in more than 1 lobe.

Understand that you have a disability that people can't see but you have to deal with. I also know that there have been people like you that were free of seizures after sergury that had them later. Talk to your doctor and have him talk to your parents is the best thing I could tell you and deal with decissions htat are made for your protection.

Re: Epilepsy and the burdens of not driving.

Submitted by katfaerie on Sat, 2013-06-15 - 19:33
I struggled with this for a long time. I was first diagnosed in 1997. I drove for many years. But I have just realized that it's not worth the risk. I could never forgive myself if I hurt anyone. So I don't drive. It's not just what my doctor says, it what I know to be true. I am afraid of brain surgery and am not interested in having any. I might change my mind someday. But right now, I'm just resigned to my life of not driving and having seizures occassionally. But basically, it sucks. We all know that. Be strong Epi friends. Congratulations to you all for being seizure free for so long! Hazzuh!!

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