Should I be a teacher is I have epilepsy?

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Hi, I've had epilepsy (complex partial and grand mal) for ten years. I had to drop out of school, and currently live on disability epilepsy hasn't changed, I really want to go back to school to get my degree as a secondary education art teacher. I've loved teaching art, but just need a degree. However, I'm concerned that if I complete this degree, is teaching a practical profession for someone like me? This is my dream, and hopefully a path to living independently, but I want to know if this is a good idea before I go back to school and decide on this degree path.

Comments

Hi, Thank you for posting. We

Submitted by Anonymous on Tue, 2020-02-18 - 09:19

Hi, Thank you for posting. We understand that living with epilepsy is more than seizures, it also means learning how to handle the way epilepsy affects your life including your physical well-being, social and emotional health. https://www.epilepsy.com/learn/managing-your-epilepsy Many people with epilepsy are able to work and successfully carry out their job duties. Having occasional, (or even fairly frequent) seizures may make your job hunt more challenging but not impossible. The better qualified you are for a position,the better your chances of success. Talk with your doctor about your concerns regarding going back to school and starting your career to see if they can provide you with any additional resources and information to help you make a decision that is best for and your future. It maybe helpful to see a vocational rehabilitation counselor to help you navigate your career. https://www.epilepsy.com/learn/diagnosis/you-and-your-healthcare-team/vocational-rehabilitation-counselors In many communities the local Epilepsy Foundation offers programs and resources to help connect you with vocational counselor, or visit: https://www.epilepsy.com/living-epilepsy/independent-living/employment/finding-employment ,for additional employment resources. Explore the employment section of our website, to help manage the impact of epilepsy on your work, here: https://www.epilepsy.com/living-epilepsy/independent-living/employment-help-what-you-need-knowYou may want to consider keeping a journal or diary. My Seizure Diary:https://www.epilepsy.com/living-epilepsy/epilepsy-foundation-my-seizure-diaryis a great tool for identifying & tracking seizures, setting reminders, managing medications & side effects, recording medical history, moods, behaviors, triggers, and other therapies or personal experiences, that may affect seizures and wellness, which can be shared with your healthcare team. Additionally, you may always contact our 24/7 Helpline, where trained information specialists are available to answer your questions, offer help, hope, support, guidance, and access to national and local resources. 1-800-332-1000, or contactus@efa.org. epilepsy.com/helpline

Hi, Thank you for posting. We understand that living with epilepsy is more than seizures, it also means learning how to handle the way epilepsy affects your life including your physical well-being, social and emotional health. https://www.epilepsy.com/learn/managing-your-epilepsy Many people with epilepsy are able to work and successfully carry out their job duties. Having occasional, (or even fairly frequent) seizures may make your job hunt more challenging but not impossible. The better qualified you are for a position,the better your chances of success. Talk with your doctor about your concerns regarding going back to school and starting your career to see if they can provide you with any additional resources and information to help you make a decision that is best for and your future. It maybe helpful to see a vocational rehabilitation counselor to help you navigate your career. https://www.epilepsy.com/learn/diagnosis/you-and-your-healthcare-team/vocational-rehabilitation-counselors In many communities the local Epilepsy Foundation offers programs and resources to help connect you with vocational counselor, or visit: https://www.epilepsy.com/living-epilepsy/independent-living/employment/finding-employment ,for additional employment resources. Explore the employment section of our website, to help manage the impact of epilepsy on your work, here: https://www.epilepsy.com/living-epilepsy/independent-living/employment-help-what-you-need-knowYou may want to consider keeping a journal or diary. My Seizure Diary:https://www.epilepsy.com/living-epilepsy/epilepsy-foundation-my-seizure-diaryis a great tool for identifying & tracking seizures, setting reminders, managing medications & side effects, recording medical history, moods, behaviors, triggers, and other therapies or personal experiences, that may affect seizures and wellness, which can be shared with your healthcare team. Additionally, you may always contact our 24/7 Helpline, where trained information specialists are available to answer your questions, offer help, hope, support, guidance, and access to national and local resources. 1-800-332-1000, or contactus@efa.org. epilepsy.com/helpline 

Hi, Thank you for posting. We understand that living with epilepsy is more than seizures, it also means learning how to handle the way epilepsy affects your life including your physical well-being, social and emotional health. https://www.epilepsy.com/learn/managing-your-epilepsy Many people with epilepsy are able to work and successfully carry out their job duties. Having occasional, (or even fairly frequent) seizures may make your job hunt more challenging but not impossible. The better qualified you are for a position,the better your chances of success. Talk with your doctor about your concerns regarding going back to school and starting your career to see if they can provide you with any additional resources and information to help you make a decision that is best for and your future. It maybe helpful to see a vocational rehabilitation counselor to help you navigate your career. https://www.epilepsy.com/learn/diagnosis/you-and-your-healthcare-team/vocational-rehabilitation-counselors In many communities the local Epilepsy Foundation offers programs and resources to help connect you with vocational counselor, or visit: https://www.epilepsy.com/living-epilepsy/independent-living/employment/finding-employment ,for additional employment resources. Explore the employment section of our website, to help manage the impact of epilepsy on your work, here: https://www.epilepsy.com/living-epilepsy/independent-living/employment-help-what-you-need-knowYou may want to consider keeping a journal or diary. My Seizure Diary:https://www.epilepsy.com/living-epilepsy/epilepsy-foundation-my-seizure-diaryis a great tool for identifying & tracking seizures, setting reminders, managing medications & side effects, recording medical history, moods, behaviors, triggers, and other therapies or personal experiences, that may affect seizures and wellness, which can be shared with your healthcare team. Additionally, you may always contact our 24/7 Helpline, where trained information specialists are available to answer your questions, offer help, hope, support, guidance, and access to national and local resources. 1-800-332-1000, or contactus@efa.org. epilepsy.com/helpline

Heck yes it is a practical

Submitted by folken on Sat, 2020-02-22 - 18:05

Heck yes it is a practical degree! Don't let this monster of a disease stop you from following your dreams! Do you know how much you've had to overcome and push through just to live a "normal" life? Do you have any idea how much stronger and more capable that makes you? All you've gotta do is apply that strength toward a specific goal, like your degree.It doesn't matter how many times a seizure knocks you down, or hurts you or whatever. Get back up. It doesn't matter who saw it. Do you think you can keep your epilepsy a secret from those kids or your fellow teachers? C'mon, you and I both know it doesn't like to hide and play nice. It shows up when you don't want it or expect it or when you've got a lot on the line. And then it leaves you alone, down on the ground, no dignity, in pain, or confused in your own bed, or in the back of an ambulance. You gonna quit at that moment? No. That's when you find yourself. In that nauseating pit, when you can't even remember who you are or where you are, your head hurting. That's when you gotta laugh and push back and say, I'm the best teacher that ever was. Or anything else whoever is reading. Don't let this stupid disease get in your way. Be the best at whatever you do. And then people will say "And s/he did all this while dancing with the devil" it won't even faze you. Naturally. What do you think heroes are made out of? They're built out of falls and failures and losses. It's the one thing I gotta say thank you to epilepsy for.

Yes yes yes, I say go for it

Submitted by Meggo on Mon, 2020-02-24 - 15:14

Yes yes yes, I say go for it!Ignore the epilepsy and go for it.I am a support worker in a homeless hostel... I used to think my job would be impossible because I still have uncontrolled TLE. But here I am working away and all is fine when I have seizures. People are understanding (colleagues and homeless residents) and I am loving my job.