INSTA POLL

I was amazed when I read the survey. Yes, I have a 'friend' living with epilepsy in my community (she lives 5 minutes from my home). I met Kim when I overwent the operation at St. Vincent's Hospital in Melbourne (Australia). She was spending another week in the hospital after the operation. We got together and she gave me more strength and knowledge about the operation since she already overwent the operation 5 days before. I was glad to have a friend and someone that I could trust and continue our friendship . . . for the rest of our life. I guess the whole thing didn't work at all. Kim, now, works part-time at the pharmacy where I go to buy my medication and we may share our thoughts and have a chat together. I have told her to come to my home whenever she wanted. The door would be open for her and for her family (a husband and 2 daughters). But she never came. Why? I don't know. Whenever she sees me, she is glad to see me but she never invites me at her home, and she never comes to mine to have a chat. Again, I would like to ask her the reason of her attitude, but many told me that not everybody is ready to open their door if one's is epileptic or they are epileptic and refuse to communicate with a person who is epileptic. I don't understand this situation. When I went to the University of California, I never had this problem. On the contrary, there were many other students who were epileptic and I never had any problem to communicate and share my problems and feelings. Since I came back to Australia I had to face the problem of being epileptic and I was often pushed on the side because I was and am epileptic. However, I've learned to overcome this problem. If I am aware that the person doesn't accept the fact that I am epileptic, I am the one to push the person on the side to have the possibility to continue my step forward. Or am I wrong? My dream is to come back to America. I don't know why but I lived 6 years in California when I was a foreign student and I never had to face such a problem. When I came back to Melbourne I became aware that many refused me, refused the situation of epilepsy, and pushed me aside. I still have to struggle to go on with my life and I am alone. What about all of you? Does someone have something similar to discuss? Edy edy_buzz@hotmail.com edy11@westnet.com.au