What if others say they're afraid you'll have a seizure?
A friend recently came to town and he wanted to get together for lunch. On the way to the restaurant, he looked at me with trepidation and asked, "What do I do if you have a seizure?" Many of us are so used to epilepsy we don't even think twice about what it must be like for our family and friends to be with us. During the holidays, I once again saw some of my family giving me some distance, especially while I had a mini-absence seizure at Costco (not convulsive, but...well, you know). I'd love to know how you have handled this, especially getting together with people you haven't seen in ages.
Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Epilepsy & Seizures Support Group.
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@randallshields56
Epilepsy has a long history of being stigmatized and misunderstood. And some people I think don’t want to deal with the disease because of the stigma involved instead of the straightforward medical issues. This can be hard for those of us with epilepsy to deal with.
@randallshields56 Correct, Dan, Randy. You'll know who your true friends are. I learned I had only 3 friends, out of about 15 with whom I routinely associated. I now know them as past casual acquaintances.
@royanthony that's sad so many but in reality so few. mine right now are mainly family or associated the others are too far away to just get up and go see, kind of reached that stage where life doesn't give you a lot of choices. right now just waiting on results to be read by doctor and go from there. what really is disturbing is i am the last one to know with my daughter taking over my primary care and life. I'm kind of like a shadow if anything were to happen to my daughter I'm not sure what would happen with me . fend for myself best i could I'm sure. my true friends i can count on one hand. that's life
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1 Reaction@royanthony that is a shame on the 15 because i believe in people still and not a lot of people do now days. some its just the way they are. others the way they were raised. even more that think they are too good to be around you. i have noticed in years gone by, but people don't instill the good stuff in their kids anymore. and its a shame. i see it way to often especially around stores or malls. but i still believe in good. sometimes have to dig for it but its there. even in your case. check a little deeper.
thank you for the helpful.
Thank you Laura.
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1 Reactionthank you for all the mentions.
@methel — thx for your honesty, good stories, and the video referral. It’s a good idea to have something nonthreatening like the video to share with others who just might have the opportunity to help someone (or me!). Blessings and peace.
thank you Marianne
thank you for your helpful and so much more.