Any phrase, idea that helped you navigate life with epilepsy?

@santosha. Good morning, Chris! Thanks for your shout-out and encouragement to repost my comment here.

“ Thanks to this group for all of your honest comments and free exchange of info, ideas, compassion, and encouragement. You've helped me a bunch since the sudden onset of seizures for me last September. You help me have appropriate perspective in celebrating six-months seizure free this weekend. That means I can legally drive in my state, even though I'm overseas at the present time. Medications have helped build my confidence and reassure my family that I'm more stable. Life is risky no matter what or where! Hugs and encouragement to all! 🙂”

Honestly, I had edited out some sidebars and settled on the important part of acknowledging the grace of sharing the good in this community.

As I was writing, I flashed on the scary testimonies, the real fears, the strident comebacks to discrimination, how clearly people communicated the legit difficulties of just living. The truth is > Support groups work!

Enjoy the day ahead as you can! 💝

Hi, @santosha,

I wanted to let you know I moved your post about a phrase or idea that helped navigate epilepsy into its own discussion, as I thought it merited that.

Wondering if @dannoyes @louissc and @jakedduck1 might have some thoughts on a phrase, an idea, a way of seeing things that helped them cope with a life with epilepsy?

@marianne72
Hi Marianne!
Thank you so much for also sharing that in this discussion.💜
Please feel free to share any other reflections, insights, or words of wisdom as you have already done — things that help us look inward, build inner resilience, and find our own way of living with and making peace with our condition.
Let's savor the joy as much as we can.🌻
Have a lovely evening!
Chris

@lisalucier
Hi Lisa,
Thank you so much for doing that, Lisa! This discussion truly deserves its own space!
@keeg1010 , @cathy5161 , @royanthony , and @closetmonster93 might also have something valuable to share with us.
Chris

Hi All!
I would like to share some reflections and insights that my neuropsychologist passed on to me during the early and most challenging years of my epilepsy treatment journey, when strong emotions — anger, bitterness, grief, isolation, frustration with treatments, and denial — were my constant companions.
"We always have a choice: to remain anchored in resentment and loss, or to open ourselves to new joys. When we resist acceptance and cling to what is gone, we risk becoming trapped in pain and in the past."
"Every time a door closes, the temptation is to stand before it — grieving, waiting, refusing to turn away. But healing asks us to gently shift our gaze: to look around, to look forward, and to notice the window that is quietly opening. We need to stop looking at the closed door to start seeing the new light coming through the window that has opened."
These words have been a true compass for me in navigating life with epilepsy and finding new joys in life!
I cannot wait to read what everyone shares.
Chris

@santosha
I don't have much to add since I remember so little of that time.
My friends were instrumental in my acceptance of having epilepsy. They never cared that I had seizures or would make a scene. They always stood by me and protected me. They always included me. Also my parents supported me so if all those people supported me and didn't care if I had seizures why should it make any difference to me. I was always included, just like before I had epilepsy. I owe my friends and parents a great debt. I would have been a different person if not for them. I believe because of their inclusion of me that I never suffered from the anxiety and depression that so many epilepsy patients do. They got me over being angry and to accept my new normal and to continue living as I had before with few exceptions. Since that time, I have continued to live my life, almost as though I didn't even have epilepsy. However, I wouldn't recommend that since I did some very foolish things and could've been more seriously hurt or possibly killed from some of them. There are definitely precautions and limitations living with epilepsy but those are doable. Driving seems to be one of the biggest obstacles that I hear about. I remember when I took the buses which were inconvenient and took a long time getting to and from where you wanted to go. My parents and friends drove me most of the time so I wasn't really impacted much by not driving. I've since gotten my drivers license and I must admit that independence is wonderful. I love my friends and family, the few that are left. My friends would even go with me on March 26 on the epilepsy walk (purple day) to help inform the public and to raise money for epilepsy research. My supporters made me realize that life can be whatever you want it to be again with a few exceptions.
(@santosha) Chris your posts were GREAT, thank you.
Take care everyone,
Jake