Epilepsy and Your Career

If you feel you're being held back, I would suggest you ask your supervisor what you can do to advance. Have your conversation without your condition being a part of the conversation. Simply ask what measures you can take to improve and move ahead. Accomplish those things and that should help.

Hi All,
I just remembered a movie I watched a while back that really stayed with me. It's called Srikanth, a biographical film about Srikanth Bolla, a visually impaired entrepreneur who founded Bollant Industries.
The film follows his journey from facing discrimination in India's education system to becoming the first visually impaired international student at MIT, and eventually building a successful company that employs people with disabilities.
It resonates so much with the theme we've been discussing here—overcoming workplace discrimination and proving that disabilities don't define what we're capable of achieving.
It's available on Netflix: https://www.netflix.com/br/title/81631011
I highly recommend it!
Chris

@tlkokke

I found unexpected support from different people when they knew about the epilepsy. The RN in my church group who helped me wake up after a generalized seizure; the podiatrist who noticed my anti-seizure meds and wanted to talk about his daughter’s epilepsy; the phlebotomist who recommended a very successful change in my anti-seizure meds and the boss who tried to even out my work schedule. Even the nice EMT who said, “ But you don’t understand. It’s my JOB to take you to the hospital. “ When the seizure was over and I refused to go to the emergency room.

I know from personal experience that having seizures is difficult and affects one’s life in many ways, but I’ve been surprised at the goodwill exhibited by so many people.

@kobebeef2026 Agree 100%, depending on how frequent your seizures occur. I'm retired and refrain from joining any social groups who meet at a formal location. Happens over and over and over. People get to like you and you have a seizure, and most will not be associated again. So, no matter whether we tell someone or not, chances are the outcome will be the same. Most will shy away. That's my experience.

@tlkokke Thank you for volunteering. everywhere you turn people need support and guidance thank you for giving of your time.

@kobebeef2026 I agree with not telling your employer!

I worry about who I tell about my epilepsy. My boss at work knows, but nobody else. I told her because I know she won't hold me back. In fact, I have gotten a promotion since then. Epilepsy is so often misunderstood. It comes in many forms. My seizures are mostly under control with medication, though it has definitely given me brain fog. I worry about that affecting my ability to do the job, but there hasn't been an issue. At least not that anyone else has told me about. I definitely don't want HR to know. I think they would put up obsticles. Everyone's situation is different. Some need co-workers to know what to do when a seizure happens. I'm not worried about that, so I've been cautious about who to tell, and how much to say. Once it's out there, there's not getting it back.

it is a messed up way they can and do take on the disabled or so the term
is different but in the end still the same reactions, but not in my house.
Here I can have each and every patient say hi and if i can catch it in time
i will wave and shout out welcome. have a blessed day today. and a better
one tomorrow.

well it's true. Enjoy yourself tomorrow.

That's a great way to put your wisdom to work and maybe help many others
that struggle every day too. I applaud you for your courage to make a
difference.