You Gotta Have Faith

Being thankful is an important emotion in life. Whether the seizures are or are not well under control, emotions can be affected. I know other people who have epilepsy or a disability. There are a few things we feel and do.

Practice self-acceptance

Do not judge yourself.

Do not compare yourself to others.

Do not hold emotions in. Speak to a person whom you trust.

Do not think you are the only person with limitations. All people have different limitations.

Do not think only your emotions change.

Do not lose faith.

Do not think of the future as negative.

Do not give up.

Do not stop loving yourself.

Do not hide from others.

Do not be ashamed.

Do not think there is no friend for you.

Do not stop yourself from asking a doctor a question.

Do not feel alone.

Instead of being judgmental, be more open and impartial and tolerate yourself. Comparing yourself to others is emotionally hurtful.

Think of the greatness inside of you. If emotions are negative or you have any thoughts, figure out what friend or family member you could speak to.

When I had a thought because of being unaware of Onfi levels being too high, I consistently called a great Christian friend, knowing she would be able to fling the thought out of my head. She may live eighteen miles away but we are there for each other. Respect for each other is needed, just a little bit.

Acknowledge limitations and strengths

Limitation: never think you or people with a disability are the only people with limitations. In real life, people who are not disabled still have limitations. Everyone is different with strengths and weaknesses. Never feel alone. Everyone gets as far as they can in life.

Emotional change is a side-effect of many medications or could happen because of the location where seizures are coming from, but that does not apply to all of us. People, in general, have mood changes because there is no such thing as “Pleasantville.” It is like a gift to have happiness. Try to give yourself as many gifts as possible each day of life. Sometimes, it can be difficult, and when like that, find brightness for yourself.

Stay positive and seek support

Have faith to stay confident and trust yourself. Never give up no matter how many medications have been tried or how many times you have been hospitalized. Do not think there is not a future for you, about another seizure happening or other consistently about each day, or else it will mentally stop you from being able to do so.

There is a different future for each of us. The same applies to giving up.

Love yourself no matter who you are, where you are from, what you’ve done, or what happened to you. Give yourself a hug to remind yourself how great you are. Meditation is always useful for self-esteem, loving yourself, and improving your health.

Do not hide from other people and stay at home because you have epilepsy. Even if a seizure happens in public at a place you would like to go to, being with a friend, or taking a walk alone. Because there are conditions worse than epilepsy.

Hopefully, a person will help you in public and make sure friends know what to do and what medication you take, as well as anything else that needs to be shared. Like how I had to tell them I have a VNS and what to do if it turns into a complex partial seizure.

Do not stop yourself from asking a doctor a question or telling a doctor something that needs to be known. When seeing Dr. Devinsky, an old faculty member who is being hospitalized, and my new epileptologist, I make sure to know the dates of seizures and any questions.

Most of all, do not feel alone because 50,000,000 people have epilepsy worldwide. Be thankful for the greatness in life, everything you have, shelter, treatment, and people who are there for you.