It's okay to feel sorry for yourself so long as you remember life will get better as time goes on. I was diagnosed with epiepsy about 20 years ago; the effects drove me into a deep depression. I couldn't drive for several years, fortunately my doctors didn't pull my license. They made me sign a statement acknowledging I was told not to drive and doing so is illegal. They also informed me they would pull my license if they saw me driving.

I had a very close friend who was dying of cancer, he was given 18 months to live. He never appeared to be depressed about it. One day I asked him how stayed so positive. He told me he had two options (1) lay around feeling sorry for himself or (2) make the best of it and enjoy whatever time he had left.

That's when I realized I had to change my focus. My wife would tell me she's sorry I can't drive myself to the store. I'd tell her don't feel sorry for me; I get to rest when you must drive.

There's nothing I can do to stop a seizure once it starts. The people I care about the most know that it's the disease and not who I am. It scares people who follow up with words of sympathy. I laugh and tell them don't feel sorry for me, I don't remember any of it. I feel sorry for you because you were so scared that you almost pooped your pants. Everyone knows I'm not being honest, but everyone laughs and we move on.

Please understand I know my life isn't perfect and I'm really down some days. Writing on this site is a big help.

I go to bed every night reminding myself tomorrow is an opportunity for my best day ever and every morning I tell myself it's my opportunity for my best day ever. It's corny, but it reminds of all the good things the day will bring. There are people worse off than me.

Stay positive, things will get better.