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Finally Telling People

Thu, 01/24/2008 - 18:03

Hey Everybody!

Okay so the deal is that I'm doing my first presentation on for Communications class on epilesy. This is my second semester in college and I've kinda been hiding the fact that I have it, not that I'm ashamed; I was just scared how people will react. After the first seizure that I had here, everyone freaked; so since then, I've kept it very low key. Anyway, I have simple partial and abscence seizures and I was diagnosed when I was in 8th grade and since then it has been a battle. When this project came up, I got the courage to put my topic in as epilepsy and I plan to tell my class that I have it and explain what it means. I really want to do my presentation on the misconceptions about epilepsy, like how one of my friends thought that I had brain damage just because I have E.  So I was wondering what other people have said to you guys about it? Or initial reactions maybe? Or questions that people usually ask? I want to get most of my information from other people with epilepsy and not just web info or books. I would really appreciate the help and this is the perfect opportunity to spread correct information about epilepsy to at least 50 students, so please help me out, perhaps it would make someone else's life a little easier.

Thanks for all the support 

Shelitha :) 

 

 

 

Comments

hi...i want to commend you

Submitted by javaman on Fri, 2008-01-25 - 09:26
hi...i want to commend you for being brave and getting out there! I used to be so afraid of telling people and having seizures in public that i ended up with obsessive compulsive disorder. I couldn't ride a bus, go to movies, bowling, etc. but i worked through it.....the important thing is this: it is not our fault, we have done nothing to deserve our epilepsy, so why should we be afraid to be honest? I know the world still has problems with us but it is getting better.....the important thing is honesty....i don't tell everyone...only on a "need to know" basis. If you are going to be working with someone closely and there is a chance they may have to deal with a seizure or two, then it is important to be honest with them so they know what to do when the time comes...but......if you are giving a presentation to people, they do not all need to know.

Re: hi...i want to commend you

Submitted by queeniw on Tue, 2008-01-29 - 16:36
Hi!  What you are going to do is fabulous.  So many people really don't understand epilepsy - it is sad.  I have had epilepsy for 50 years - gone through alot - and love life!!  The worse thing that ever happened to me was after about 20 years of teaching in the same school district, I had a seizure when I was in the hallway putting up a buliten board.  I have complex partial seizures.  Any how when I came to work the following day there was a substitute waiting to get in my room and was comfused as to why I was in school.  She told me she had been called to be a long term sub for me.  I fiqured there was some kind of mistake so we went to see the Principal who was very conveniently not there.  What had happened was that someone (to this day, I don't know who) saw me have the seizure, told the Principal, she called the Superintendent and asked what to do.  He called the schools atorney and they decided to kick me out of school with out letting me know anything.  They actually told me that they were afraid I might hurt someone!!  Once I got back into school through the teachers union a few months passed and the very same thing happened.  This time I did get called iinto the Principals office, but was told I had to leave and couldn't go down and tell my little 2nd grades why I wasn't going to be there.  It was insane!!!!!  The really bizarre thing is that when I went to a discrimination attorney he actually said that the school was riding a fine line - it was imoral what they did, but not illegal.  So bravo to you for standing up and letting people know that this does exist and is catching.  I am so very proud of you!!  If you can use any other information, write again.      Mary

Re: hi...i want to commend you

Submitted by Saint Botto on Fri, 2008-02-01 - 12:29
Wow that is just not cool... They act like its contagious or something (thats something you should put in your presentation, I have been asked by friends if they can catch it) This seems allot like discrimination to me but if the law says it isn't what can you do.

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