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UPDATED: Mon, 06/22/2009 - 10:09pm
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banffgirl
WHY DRIVING AND SIEZURES DONT GO TOGETHER
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IN THE NEWSPAPER HERE THE OTHER DAY THERE WAS AN ARTICLE ABOUT A MAN TRYING TO GET TEXAS TO MAKE IT MANDITORY TO REPORT A SIEZURE TO THE DPS. THIS OF COURSE WOULD HAVE YOUR DRIVERS LICENCE TAKEN AWAY UNTIL YOU ARE 12 MONTHS SEIZURE FREE. TEXAS HAS A VOLUNTARY REPORTING SYSTEM WITH DOCTORS AND HOSPITALS AT THIS TIME.
THE MAN FIGHTING FOR THIS HAS A VERY PERSONAL REASON FOR THIS. HIS WIFE WAS KILLED A YEAR AGO BY A MAN WHO HAD A SIEZURE WHILE DRIVING AT 80MPH AND HIT HIS WIFES CAR WHICH WASNT MOVING AT THE TIME. THE FIRST THING THAT CROSSED MY MIND WAS WHAT A TRAGIC ACCIDENT. I COULDNT UNDERSTAND WHY THEY WOULD SENTENCE HIM TO LIFE IN PRISON. WELL THE PLOT THICKENS. IT WASNT A FREAK ACCIDENT FROM SOMEONE WHO WAS CONTROLLED.
EARLIER THE SAME DAY, THIS MAN WAS IN ANOTHER ACCIDENT. HE HAD A SIEZURE AND WENT THROUGH A HEDGE, DAMAGING TWO TIRES. THE OFFICER AT THE SCENE LET HIM LEAVE, UNAWARE OF WHAT CAUSED THE ACCIDENT. HE GOT HIS TIRES FIXED AND CONTINUED TO DRIVE THAT DAY. A MONTH BEFORE HE ALSO HAD A SIEZURE BEHIND THE WHEEL AND 6 MONTHS PRIOR TO THAT AS WELL. NO ONE WAS EVER HURT AND NO OTHER VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN THE OTHER ACCIDENTS. SO HIS LUCK RAN OUT AND CAUSED AN INNOCENT WOMAN TO DIE. WHAT IT DOES COME DOWN TO IS THE JURY DECIDED THAT WITH HIS HISTORY OF GETTING BEHIND THE WHEEL OF THE CAR, KNOWING HIS SIEZURES WEREN'T CONTROLED, HE DESERVED A LIFE SENTENCE IN PRISON FOR KILLING THIS WOMAN.
SUCH A SAD STORY AND SO UNNESSASSARY. SO TO ALL YOU DRIVERS OUT THERE WHO ARENT CONTROLLED. THIS COULD BE YOU ONE DAY. IT JUST TAKES A SPLIT SECOND TO HAVE A CAR WRECK AND KILL ANOTHER PERSON. PLEASE KEEP THAT IN MIND WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT GETTING BEHIND THE WHEEL OF YOUR CAR.
GOD BLESS,
BANFFGIRL
I HAVE AN ELECTRIC PERSONALITY, MY BRAIN IS SELF CHARGING!
I TYPE IN CAPS FOR THE VISUALLY IMPAIRED
By banffgirl at Mon, 06/22/2009 - 10:09pm | 190 views | 19 comments
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Recent Comments on this Discussion
I have been trying to research this topic all day at the bequest of my husband who is paranoid over the possibility of my license being suspended because of reported seizures (apparantely, TN also has some law requiring doctors to report it to the DMV). Even though it would be a hardship, I take a different view than he has on the subject. He is coming up with all kinds of legalize angles to make sure I keep my license. I prefer to sit out the 6-12 months and make sure it is under control before I get behind the wheel of the car.
However, I do take issue with this legal breech of doctor/patient confidentiality. What goes on between the two should stay between the two.
That said, if anyone is knowingly behind the wheel of a car, medical condition or otherwise unsafe to be there, should get whatever they deserve. It seems there is too much nitpicking on what constitutes what deems one unworthy to drive or not. I don't care if you were smoking a joint, had one too many, have your head up your ass, or could randomly suffer consciousness for whatever reason...unless you are able to have your full attention on driving, you shouldn't drive.
The complex nature of an epilepsy diagnosis in the first place makes most of these arguments unreasonable to compare them with mere distraction. A person may only have one seizure in their entire life and may never have another one, but the out of the blue nature of it would make one want to, out of safety for everyone, sit it out for awhile and get a confirmation. And even if there is confirmation, there is a fine distinction between prejudicial behavior versus valid concern for safety.
A drunk or a drug addict makes that conscious choice to drink or do drugs. A person with a medical condition they know about can make a conscious decision to care for the illness. An unknown condition can sneak up on someone behind the wheel, but that is not the same as making a conscious decision to drive and have a mishap.
Just because one has a seizure disorder of any type, so long as it is under control, the prejudices should be removed.
HERE IN TX IT IS A 6 MONTH PERIOD THAT YOU HAVE TO BE SIEZURE FREE, I WAS SIEZURE FREE FOR MORE THAN 6MONTHS AND THEN A SOON AS I WAS TRYING TO GET MY DOC. TO APPROVE OF ME DRIVING (WHICH HE WAS) I HAD A VERY NASTY SIEZURE DURING HURRICANE IKE. I HIT THE FLOOR FACE FOWARD WHILE ON THE TOILET (LOL) I GOT TWO CUTS ONE ON MY NOSE WHICH LEFT A SCAR AND ONE BETWEEN MY BROWS I WAS ALL BLOODY. ANYWAYS TO GET TO THE POINT I THINK IT SHOULD BE A 12 MONTH PERIOD THAT YOU HAVE TO BE SIEZURE FREE BEFORE GETTING YOUR LICENSE. I MEAN I HATE NOT BEING ABLE TO DRIVE TO GET WHERE I NEED AND WANT BUT IT SCARES ME SO MUCH THAT I MIGHT HAVE A SIEZURE WHILE DRIVING AND ESPECIALLY THAT I ALWAYS HAVE MY SON W/ME. I WOULD HATE TO CAUSE A BIG WRECK AND SOMEONE GET REALLY HURT OR DIE BECAUSE OF ME. I DONT THINK I COULD LIVE MY LIFE NORMALLY KNOWING I CAUSED SOMEONE TO LOOSE THEIR LIFE. BUT GOOD THING I HAVE ALOT OF SUPPORT BEHIND ME. I DO HATE WHEN PEOPLE ASK WHY I DONT DRIVE.
I don't know if it's changed, but It use to be 3 years in California.
I wont give up my drivers liscense. I am not scared. I need it. I need to be able to function in this world, I am the only one who is available to take my children to school and to outside activities/ I will not drive when I am sick, I will pull off the road and walk when I feel my auros. I promise I will pay attention to my health, but I need my liscence for the days I am well. thank you for listening. God Bless us all. ((()))
JUST FOR violarose-
IF I WERE TO FIND YOU I WOULD COME AFTER YOU IN A HEARTBEAT!!!
YOU DO NOT DRIVE JUST BECAUSE YOU THINKS ITS OK
YOU GET BEHIND THAT WHEEL-YOU PUT YOUR KIDS AND OTHERS IN DANGER!!!
THIS WORLD EVOVLED ALLOT THERE ARE MANY TYPES OF TRANPORTATION AVAILIABLE
-FRIENDS
-BUSS/METRO OR SCHOOL
-PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION
-TAXI
-TRAIN
-SUBWAY
WHATEVER IS IN YOUR AREA WHERE YOU LIVE OF THESE 6 EXAMPLES 1 HAS TO BE THERE TO USE
FOR ALL YOU KNOW THAT AURA WILL INCREASE FASTER AND YOU WONT HAVE TIME TO PULLOVER-YOU THINK IM JOKING? ITS POSSIBLE-YOU LOVE YOUR KIDS RIGHT? DONT DRIVE!!!!!!!!!
YOU BELEIVE IN THIS 'GOD' RIGHT-WELL CARS DIDNT EXIST BACK THEN AND PEOPLE MADE IT BY FOOT!
YOU HAVE THAT COPASITY SO USE IT!!!! YOU THINK IM TO HARSHE? THEN THINK BEFORE YOU TYPE "I WONT GIVE UP MY DRIVERS LICENSE" THATS WHAT GOT MY ATTENTION.
Hi crystal82,
I don't drive. It's getting close to more than 22 years since I drove anywhere. Also, I don't get anywhere anymore beyond walking distance, and then toxic do-gooders frequently call the police on me for endangering myself by walking. There is no subway, no train, no public use school bus, no reliable cheap or expensive taxi, no friends with easy transportation, and while I have a paratransit card, the available public transportation doesn't go anywhere involving neurology and many other "necessary" things. Economics dictate where I live. Reality dictates risks that I don't like, but like many other people, I'm stuck with them.
Choosing amongst various risks is necessary in dealing with reality, and while I've had federal judges tell me that physical distances are no concern in their reasonings, their reasonings ignore reality. Society is devolving much faster now than it is evolving. Having the "motivation" to make use of what's not there doesn't help, except to increase the degree of frustrating deceptions, and Catch-22 in the artificial rules is occasionally viable.
Tadzio
i dont know what this is about because my comment was derected towards 'violerose' as clearly stated, and did not go to this site to start arguments. i came here to learn for myself because no one seems to care but me. i have the power and control to run my life. unless this is you and you changed your name...
Hi crystal82,
This is about possible prejudicial discrimination involving perceived impairments in consequence of the general label epilepsy, whether by peer pressure or otherwise. Driving a vehicle is a major life activity that does not to be needlessly limited over broad assumptions based on the word epilepsy, in this case very minor seizures not necessrily involving impaired consciousness, called aura.
I have had too many people tell me what I can't do, based on their own ridiculous assumptions based on the word epilepsy, for myself to passively sit by and watch such possible prejudice to possibly seed and fester amongst others in a public forum. With me, employers, and others, would give me a "private" lecture, in violation of the ADA, about how epilepsy precluded my major life activities. They undoubtably wanted the lecture "private" so they could deny that they committed such an act otherwise prohibited by law, and in my experience many such cases of perjury by these "private" lecturers occurred, and other members of the public in the public places these lectures happened could have easily helped prevent this if they only decided not to remain distant.
Tadzio
VIOLAROSE,
YOU SAY YOU ARENT SCARED. YOU ARENT SCARED OF WHAT? WHAT PEOPLE THINK? CAR ACCIDENTS? ALL OF US WHO DONT DRIVE BECAUSE OF SIEZURES ARE WELL AWARE OF HOW HARD IT IS NOT TO DRIVE. THE FIRST TIME I EVER HAD A GRAND MAL I WORKED FULL TIME AND MY CHILDREN WERE AGES 5, 3 AND 1 YRS OLD. YES I MAY HAVE HAD A HUBBY THAT DROVE BUT WE WENT ABOUT 1 1/2 YRS WITHOUT ME DRIVING. THERE WERE PLENTY OF TIMES I THOUGHT IT WAS LONG ENOUGH WITHOUT A SIEZURE BUT I WAITED. IT WAS VERY DIFFICULT WITH 3 LITTLE ONES, WORKING FULLTIME AND NOT DRIVING ESPECIALLY SINCE OUR WORK SCHEDULES, TRAVEL TIME AND DAYCARE HOURS ALL COLLIDED. SO YOU HAVE PLENTY OF PEOPLE OUT HERE WHO KNOW THE PROBLEMS IT CAUSES NOT BEING ABLE TO DRIVE AND THE HOW STRESSFUL IT IS TRYING TO FIND A NETWORK OF HELP FOR DRIVING. WHEN IT COMES TO KIDS AND SCHOOL, ACTIVITIES, ETC. THE MOM NETWORK IS THE MOST HELPFUL NETWORK ON EARTH. ALSO ARE SCHOOL BUSES AVAILABLE IN YOUR AREA? ALSO IF YOU ARE INVOLVED WITH A CHURCH IN YOUR AREA, THEY ARE ALWAYS THERE TO HELP EACH OTHER IN DIFFERENT WAYS. CHURCH FAMILIES ARE GREAT. YOU HAVE TO BE MORE FLEXABLE AND HAVE AN I CAN DO IT ATTITIUDE AND MAKE IT WORK INSTEAD OF THINKING OF REASONS IT WONT WORK. PEOPLE ARE REALLY GREAT IF YOU JUST LET THEM BE. IT DOESNT JUST COME TOGETHER INSTANTLY BUT IT WILL COME TOGETHER WITH SOME WORK.
HERE IS A REALLY INTERESTING FACT I LEARNED FROM MY EPITOLOGIST. AN AURA IS ACTUALLY A SIMPLE PARTIAL SIEZURE.
GOD BLESS,
BANFFGIRL,
I HAVE A ELECTRIC PERSONALITY, MY BRAIN IS SELF CHARGING!!
Hi banffgirl,
An overly optimistic attitude about the availability of transportation can lead to considerable
problems, expenses, and dangers.
Being flexible about schedules determined by businesses and officials means a person must accept the
wasted time between the ride delivery time and the time of the event, and vice-versa on the return trip.
Just today many elderly people were complaining about the long distance to the nearest grocery store,
the three hour gap in bus schedules, and the 100+ degree weather. The last time I seen my general
doctor, I had a can do attitude and walked the distance in moderately hot weather, to the alarm of the
nurses at the clinic. After the nurses told me I shouldn't be that foolish, the doctor told me she
didn't know what to do with my epilepsy and wasn't going to continue with any treatment until I went
to a neurologist in a different county (none of the public transportation here cross county lines).
I drank my Gatorade outside the clinic for my return walk home, and when I got home, the police were
calling over the nurses reporting that I was endangering my life by making such a walk.
The church families, and the church, told me that I should have faith in God to heal my illness, and
not to be weak in faith by seeking medical treatment. The neighbors were very helpful at first, but
they can only do so much, esp. with this economy and state budget crisis, and none of them were
available after my last ambulance trip to ER in the middle of the night, so when I recovered from
danger in that severe sleep seizure, ER expelled me, and my 82 year old mother charged $150 in
taxi fare to get my half-conscious body back home before dawn.
If you think it might work, I can try to get Governor Schwarzenegger's phone number again for you to
call too, to ask him not to cut the funding for all the health care and services any deeper, especially
those expensive ones involving epilepsy and transportation.
Hi... In California it is Manadory for Physicians to report to DMV any and all "new onset seizures" within 10 days.
Once reported your driver's license is suspended and will not be returned until you have been seizure free for 18mths and have a note from your Physician. Of the 10 or so Doctors I saw over the past 2 years none turned me in! I actually had to ask my Primary Care Doctor to do it. Afterwards I cried and cried!! The last of my Independence gone!!
Found out later that all of my doctor's thought the other doctor's on my case had already turned me in...
Sometimes it is better I guess to loose your independence rather than your life or the life of a stranger!!! I still hate it and am having a hard time coping. My driveway sucks so bad even the Easy Lift people can't turn around so there is no transportation here for me except family when they have time or a cab which I cannot afford!!
Thanks for listening... Sincerely, unicorn26
My dad has heart and circulatory issues. He takes a plethra of meds that causes his blood pressure to rise and fall, sometimes unexpectedly. He is allowed to drive. He doesn't have to voluntarily or involuntarily turn in his license.
My older sister has Diabetes. Sometimes when it isn't just right, her blood sugar, she becomes blurry eyed, dizzy, and greatly confused. This can happen unexpectedly at times. She doesn't have to voluntarily or involuntarily turn in her license.
I also struggle with Major Depression and Anxiety. I've taken meds over the years that would literally knock me on my arse when first taking them. However, got to go to work, pay bills, and no one said it was illegal to drive - no one took my license - no one told me I had to go and voluntarily turn my license in.
There are many many many medical conditions that cause individuals to, at one time or another, be a hazard on the open road. Most unexpectedly and out of the clear blue sky. Those even known and perhaps medicated for... can still have issues and they aren't refused a license, told to turn it in, or made to go months to years without one.
In this particular case... it was unfortunate as to what happened to this woman. This man should be held accountable for her death in some way. His seizure wasn't controlled but most of us, me in particular, can not honestly say when another seizure is going to happen. I've not had one in nearly 6 weeks and before that - not in 3 months. Prior to that, not in 4 months and all while medicated.
In my state it is voluntary and the requirement is 6 months seizure free. There is no law requiring it and docs can't inform and have it revoked though it is their duty to strongly advise against it and make all aware and knowledgeable of the dangers of doing so.
Sign Hypo Drive Petition
Hypo-drive is a national educational awareness program aimed at diabetic drivers. Alerting them to the dangers of driving while suffering from a hypoglycemic or hyperglycemic episode.
http://www.hypodrive.com.au
For the algebraically inclined:
If D is the average number of minutes driving each day
and Y is the number of seizures per year
then the approximate percent chance of having a seizure while driving each year P = 100*(1-(((1439-D)/1439)^Y))
In my case I drove 30 minutes per day before I started to have 1 seizure per year on average. Had I continued driving I would have a 2.1% chance of a seizure caused accident each year (and a 65% chance in 50 years of driving). Since I am an experienced and careful driver, many people who drive while tired, substance-impaired, inexperienced, old, eating, holding a phone, reading, operating a navigation device, suffering a non-epileptic serious health condition, doing make-up, or other risky legal activities have a higher probability of an accident. Perhaps legislators are biased against those with seizures because seizures can not be directly controlled by our choices while those other dangerous activities can.
However, the laws are there for good reason. I comply and have changed my lifestyle. I live in a suburban location biking distance from a commuter rail. I am in great shape from biking and have learned a lot by reading books on buses, trains, and airplanes. I have a good paying job and travel internationally. (Incidentally, many foreign cities have better public transportation than most American cities.) I go to the mall, the grocery store, and sailing with friends. Little has changed in my life since I gave up driving. Try it.
HI PEWTER,
I DO NOT AGREE WITH THEM CHANGING THE LAWS SO THEY HAVE TO REPORT THE DRIVER TO THE DPS AND REVOKE THE DRIVERS LICENCE. VOLUNTARY SHOULD WORK BUT ONLY IF PEOPLE ARE WILLING TO ACTUALLY GO BY THE STATE LAW WHICH HERE IS 12 MONTH SIEZURE FREE. IN YOUR STATE IS 6 MONTHS SO DOES THAT MEAN YOU ARE NOT DRIVING? I KNOW I HAVEN'T DRIVEN IN YEARS SINCE I AM NOT SIEZURE FREE.
MY MAIN POINT BEHIND THIS IS THERE ARE TOO MANY PEOPLE ON THE ROAD WHO KNOWINGLY HAVE SIEZURES ON A REGULAR OR SEMI REGULAR BASIS. WE ARE TALKING DAILY, WEEKLY AND MONTHLY. NOT ONLY TONIC CLONICS, BUT SIMPLE, COMPLEX, ETC. ANY SIEZURE IS GOING TO TAKE YOUR ATTENTION AWAY FROM THE ROAD AND CAN CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. IT IS IRRESPONSIBLE TO PUT OTHER PEOPLES LIVES IN DANGER.
IT WAS MORE THAN UNFORTUNATE AS YOU PUT IT , THAT A YOUNG WOMAN LOST HER LIFE. I KNOW IF IT WAS SOMEONE IN YOUR FAMILY THAT WAS KILLED BY A DRIVER WHO HAD A SIEZURE BEHIND THE WHEEL OF A CAR AND KNEW THEY SHOULDNT HAVE BEEN DRIVING, YOUR OUTLOOK ON THIS WOULD BE TOTALLY DIFFERENT. IT WOULDNT BE UNFORUNATE, IT WOULD BE TRAGIC.
TO ALL OF YOU WHO BRING UP OTHER MEDICAL CONDITIONS:
EPILEPSY IS IN A TOTALLY DIFFERENT CLASS. ANYONE WITH SIEZURES SHOULD NOT TAKE THEIR CONDITION LIGHTLY. YOU CAN LIVE A GREAT, FULL LIFE BUT THERE ARE CERTAIN ASPECTS WE HAVE TO LIVE WITH IF THE SIEZURES ARE NOT COMPLETELY CONTROLED. SIEZURES = LOSS OF ATTENTION. YOU MAY NOT LOSE CONCIOUSNESS BUT THERE IS SIEZURE ACTIVITY EFFECTING YOUR BRAIN IN MANY OTHER WAYS. ONE SPLIT SECOND AND THE DAMAGE IS DONE. SIEZURES IS A KNOWN CONDITION THAT WILL MAKE YOU UNAWARE OF WHATS GOING ON AROUND YOU AS YOU DRIVE.
AS FOR HEART ATTACKS, HEART CONDITIONS, DIABETES, DEPRESSION, ANIXIETY, ETC. USING PEOPLE WITH THOSE CONDITIONS AS A COMPARISION AS TO WHY PEOPLE WITH EPILEPSY SHOULD BE ABLE TO DRIVE IS RIDICULOUS. WHY DONT YOU ADD PEOPLE WITH RHEUMATOD ARTHRITIS, REGULAR ARTHRITIS -SOME OF THEM ARE IN PRETTY BAD SHAPE, WHAT IF THEIR KNEE SIEZES UP AND THEY CANT HIT THE BRAKE. MIGRIANES, BOY WHEN ONE OF THOSE STARTS!, HYPOGLYCMICS MIGHT PASS OUT BEHIND THE WHEEL. THE FLU OR EVEN A HIGH FEVER, HIGH CHOLESTEROL - YOU MIGHT STROKE OUT. ONE COULD GO ON AND ON. JUST THINK IF YOU LOOKED UP ALL THE DIFFERENT MEDICAL CONDITIONS, EVEN COMMON ONES, I AM SURE YOU WOULD FIND REASONS NOT TO DRIVE. ITS A COPOUT TO TRY TO DEFEND DRIVING WITH SIEZURES BY COMPARING IT TO OTHER MEDICAL CONDITIONS. FOR THAT MATTER WHY DO WE LET MOST OF THE PEOPLE WITH LICENCES ON THE ROAD TODAY DRIVE. TAKE THEIR LICENCES AWAY WHILE YOUR AT IT. THERE ARE SOME REALLY BAD DRIVERS OUT THERE. DONT FORGET TO TAKE LICENCES FROM THE MOMS WHO ARE DISTRACTED BY THE KIDS, THE GUY READING HIS NEWSPAPER, THE BOOK READER, THE CELLPHONE TALKER, THE LADY PUTTING ON HER MAKEUP, THE SMOKER, THE GUY SHAVING, AND FUNNIEST ONE I EVER SAW - THE GUY BRUSHING HIS TEETH!! I AM SURE THERE ARE A LOT MORE BUT I HAVENT SEEN THEM.
GOD BLESS,
BANFFGIRL,
I HAVE A ELECTRIC PERSONALITY, MY BRAIN IS SELF CHARGING!!
I TYPE IN CAPS FOR THE VISUALLY IMPAIRED
Hi Banffgirl,
I stopped driving about 22 years ago, soon as I found out that my partial seizures and complex
partial seizures were probably from a form of epilepsy.
I've encountered many legal problems over my decision not to drive. The main problem is that if
I had the means (the vehicle is ready to drive), the choosen ability to drive if I wanted to, and
a mandatory scheduled legal appointment, with no other means to meet the appointment, I was
obligated to drive to the legal appointment, with no accommodations, or lose my legal rights and/or
suffer the consequences (such as contempt of court and arrest). (I have also had similar problems
with epilepsy, the law, and my speech). When I requested accommodations, and after a short "question-
and-answer routine" demanded by the officials, officials would tell me that I had to prove that I
shouldn't drive. Before public-transportation was butchered in the county budget, this was an
infrequent problem, but by no means absent. An invalid driver's license did not solve as many
problems as it introduced. I remember staggering during a partial seizure within a hearing room, and
an official remarking "So you don't have a valid driver's license, I WONDER WHY? Ha, Ha, Ha." (I get
that line of reasoning/attitudes with other major life activities at this website too!!!). I would
like to conduct an in person statistical experiment of public opinion with pictures of people who
lost their driver's licenses, and/or no longer drive, with a matching of assumed reasons designed
to preclude fixed responses, and see what the frequencies of response are; my hypothesis would be
that drunk driving would be assumed most frequent, followed by speeding/reckless driving, etc., and in
certain counties/states, then, unpaid child support, prostitution, and drug-abuse, would exceed
seizures/epilepsy even if in fact all the people in the pictures lost their driver's licenses because
of seizures/epilepsy. Then, the impact of foreknowledge of epilepsy would give an interesting frequency
of the erroneous belief that individuals with epilepsy are "hiding" behind epilepsy with their
transportation needs (Metaphorical Judge Hickmire declaring that anyone can get anywhere if they desire) .
Having, or not having, a Driver's License is a very strong social determinant of public opinion and
social standing, and it gains in strength when it is more required in practical situations. Overly
zealous incipient Candy-Stripers at health/social centers deny, and honor, this endlessly, while
demanding that everyone assume responsibility for whatever befalls them, and this attitude deepens.
In California, in regards to other health problems:
"Discuss poor vision, heart problems, diabetes, or epilepsy with your physician and follow his or her
advice. Tell DMV if you have a condition that might affect your ability to drive safely.
Conditions Physicians Must Report:
Physicians and surgeons are required to report patients at least 14 years of age and older who are
diagnosed as having lapses of consciousness, dementia (mental disorders) conditions, or related
disorders. (Health & Safety Code §103900) Although not required by law, your physician may report
any other medical condition he/she believes may affect your ability to drive safely.
.....The department shall consult with professional medical organizations whose members have specific
expertise in the diagnosis and treatment of those disorders in the development of the definition of
what constitutes a disorder characterized by lapses of consciousness as well as definitions of
functional severity to guide reporting so that diagnosed cases reported pursuant to this section are
only those where there is reason to believe that the patients' conditions are likely to impair their
ability to operate a motor vehicle.....e) The Department of Motor Vehicles shall, in consultation
with the professional medical organizations specified in subdivision (d), develop guidelines designed
to enhance the monitoring of patients affected with disorders specified in this section in order to
assist with the patients' compliance with restrictions imposed by the Department of Motor Vehicles on
the patients' licenses to operate a motor vehicle."
Seizures, per se epilepsies, are not in a totally different class with the DMV, and if they were
treated differently because of the word epilepsy, that would be in violation of anti-discrimination
laws. My epilepsy most frequently interferes with my talking, especially with talking on a phone,
and talking on a cell phone while driving is illegal here, now, should I be prohibited from driving
because I can't talk on a cell phone while driving? A quick prejudice with epilepsy would give an
affirmative response, and then a myriad of biased explanations. (Still, I believe that the DMV does illegally discriminate against epilepsy).
Questions of Equality of Justice arise when someone convicted for stabbing another person to death
receives a five year prison sentence, while someone labeled with epilepsy in a fatal car crash
receives a life sentence. Is public opinion involving epilepsy unbiased?
hi
there are days when you say the same thing i do, but you do it better by far. take care. rikk
hi,
the point is valid, but only if applied across the board. why not people with heart problem from unstable rhythms, those with auto defibulators. what about uncontrolled diabetes. what about more types. How about people with mental problem that loose contact with reality, or people that have suicidal thoughts, or attempts. What about people with a criminal history that has been associated with harm to others. there is a personal responsibility for personal behavior. The question is why not be allowed to drive if the person has the ability, and the self control not to when it is not prudent to do so. The other question is should a person who has proper judgement, use appropriate safety measures be denied driving. the privilage is extended to people that are more dangerous to the public.
The last point. My opinion is that the transfere of medical information without the permission of the patient is not legal. Medical information is considered confidential in most states. that is why the voluntary program exists. Should people with seizures drive. Unless proven unsafe, and the legal process takes the licence, the privilage should not be revoked. It is an act of discrimination based on medical prejudice. The responsiblity is still in the hands of the people with seizures. They should be held accountable for their actions. Not is in reality punished for what might happen. This is an opinion. My opinion. It is also my opinion that people should comply with the law. check your state and follow it. If anyone chooses to break the law, there are consequences. Rikk
A whirl of emotion has taken over while reading the original post and some there after. When I was having seizures.. I did not know they were seizures. Many doctors told me it was stress related. I made the choice to stop driving.. then I went through a series of tests and in the end was told I have having complex partail seizures. you know, I walked home that day with a heavy heart.. I was told to not drive.. I live in NY. I was not told that I had to report this to the DMV.. just told not to drive. I "knew" I should not drive.. but to be "told" I had no choice was a huge blow.. I was not ready for this. I went through some depression over this as I am the one who has to do it all.. I often wondered what I was going to do now.. but as the days go by I realize I find other ways to make ends meet.. which I know it not always the right way. The other day I was feeling ok.. my daughter fell at school and the school (by walking is an hour away) so I got in my car and drove there to comfort her and then drove home.. feeling not right, I pulled over until that feeling passed.. then got home and promised to never do that again. I told myself I would never drive with my children.. BUT what if i drove with out them and killed someone else's children..??? Not too many people understand the constant battle I go through .. I am sure all of you understand .. the choice to not drive is not easy.. but it should be.. it should be an easy choice to not get behind the wheel when you have seizures..