"Overcoming the Stigma"
  by: tbo11

"If you don't understand something you tend to make certain assumptions about it, that's essentially what stigma is…Epilepsy isn't much discussed. People have the vaguest notion and then generally tend to assume the worst. The more we can be open and forward, the less the stigma. It becomes more acceptable, it's no longer necessarily an obstacle to getting on in life" --Tom Smith, Scottish and British Lions rugby player

Tom Smith and I have one episode of life in common. We were both diagnosed with epilepsy as a teenager, and knew very little about the disease, or obstacle as he refers to it, at the time. As my sophomore year came to a close, the anticipation of summer was beginning to take a toll on many of the excited teens around school. Many kids were searching for the perfect summer job that would be a foundation for the basic skills needed to start a successful career. My first job interview that year would be a foundation for much more. It went well, and as I left, I thought eagerly about the deciding phone call that was promised within the next week. The next thought I had was a weary "where am I?". I had woken up in the ambulance after experiencing my first seizure ever. The ride to the hospital was very vague; I was more confused than ever. I didn't even know what a seizure was. Before I even really woke up, I was discussing the possible causes with an unfamiliar doctor. Later that week, I met with a specialist who told me my activities would be limited until they could run enough tests to see if my seizures would be controllable. "Controllable?" "Limited activities?" "What was wrong with me?" All my life I had been active in sports in my community, and I was scared to ponder the idea of limited activities. In what seemed like a flash, I was presented with an obstacle, which would write an important chapter in my life. After many appointments and tests, I slowly grasped knowledge of the shy disease called epilepsy. With medication, I am now able to go about my everyday activities with confidence and assurance that I will be safe from the harm of an unexpected seizure. The slow process of a diagnosis took a lot out of me. It took three different medications before my neurologist found the right one for me. I struggled academically my junior year due to the adverse side effects of the first two medications. I continue to struggle to overcome the side effects of my current medication. Everyday I am overtaken by medication-induced fatigue, although I get sufficient amounts of sleep. After much trial and error, I have become proficient at balancing school, extra-curricular activities, and fitting in homework with a demanding sports schedule, all the while making sure my body gets enough rest to do it all over again the next day. Learning to cope with epilepsy is an ongoing challenge that surprisingly has given me many useful skills. Throughout my battle with epilepsy, I have cultured a more perseverant and manageable life. I have developed the important skill of time management and learned that facing adversity is better than shying away from it. I now know that understanding the reason for the way your body works is important; and more importantly, becoming comfortable with this understanding is vital. Only then can the “obstacle” no longer be a restriction to living the full life one wishes to experience. For me, learning to minimize my restrictions quickly was critical to continuing all of the activities I participated in before my first seizure. I know that graduating from high school, moving away from family and friends, and starting over in college will bring many new challenges. Surrounding myself with new people, people who may only have a vague notion of epilepsy, will require me to become even more open about what I have learned. However, if I can help decrease the stigma that confines people with epilepsy, I will be one step closer to winning my battle with epilepsy.