Epilepsy and employment

Honestly, I don't know what the reality is. I suppose that it's different for all of us. I have always kept my seizures to myself, unless I was forced to share the information. My last job, I worked in the student business office at college. I liked it a lot, but only shared news of my epilepsy when I was forced to. I was having a major med side effect, and had to be switched immediately. The switch had left me incredibly sleepy and it was impossible for me to focus on anything. So, I took my supervisor aside and shared my news with her. She was very understanding and kind. At the same time, I had to approach my professors to fill them in. I was a nervous wreck, afraid they'd look down upon me. My professors were also very understanding and made arrangements to let me take my final exams once I fully recovered. Despite the understanding I've gotten when pushed to share my E, I still won't share unless I absolutely have to. There are laws that are out to protect people with disabilities, but it's impossible to know why businesses aren't hiring you. Even if you don't share that information from the beginning, there is almost always probation period when hired. You have to hope that you'll get another job, with kinder and more understanding co-workers and supervisor/s. So, if and when you do run into troubles, you can share your experiences with them. I wish you the best of luck! Heather

Hi there, Our stories sound similar. I had my first known seizure late last year, while I was going through a promotion at a really bad job. I had a second one 4 months later. The second one was more serious, wound up in the hospital, where I had an allergic reaction to Dilantin, ended up on Topamax, which sucked terribly, and am now on Keppra. The seizures only have happened in my sleep, but we have no idea if I've had them before or since then and just not woken up my boyfriend. I quit the awful job in June - and now have no insurance. My keppra costs $200 a month without it. I have an appointment coming up in a few weeks that I won't be able to pay for. I totally understand where you are coming from, because I haven't found other work (and it's not like I'm unemployable either ... I have a degree from an Ivy League, but lot of good it does me). Despite all the memory tricks I have learned to use, I have applied for jobs and then forgotten if I ever turned in the application or not. How do I explain to potential employers that I have medically-induced memory issues with basic stuff like that? and can they please tell me whether or not I ever turned in the application? Or when I'm interviewing, do I say, "Sorry I have trouble finding the right word, I have a seizure disorder and the drugs make me sound like a moron." Seriously ... I don't really have any advice to give you. Just some tea and sympathy. Good luck to you.