Burdens of having epilepsy
I have been diagnosed with partial complex seizure disorder. The challenges, I have faced is my law enforcement career. I had been a police officer for 35 years. Since was not medically cleared to carry a firearm. I medically retired earlier then expected.
It has been frustrating knowing that I am not employed. But accepting the changes in my life. I am coping with the change the best way possible. Any suggestions
I hate not beign able to drive i used to drive since i was 16 to my 30's but i had a aura in my bf vechical so i gave my license up bc i dont want to hurt myself or someone else . Just not fair . But now i have a bf and he takes care of me if i have to go somewhere , his aunt lives with us so she helps me as well ,his sister helps me to .but b4 i had him i lived bymyself and walked .
Next year will make 40 years. I've always had the Gran Mal. I have never had any warning signs. I can be talking to you just hit the floor. When I was younger I took the chance on driving, depending on myself. Since I've gotten older they're more frequent now. I haven't driven 20 years. They've never said why, I've tried to get Disability 2 times denied. I was taken off Medicaid. How, what do? I have years of records. I didn't just make this up yesterday. Some don't realize how hard this is. You have to wait on everything and everybody. I have a 15 year old son.
its been 15 years for me ! And its not fun at all. Some of them who don’t realize probably don’t even care to. They can’t be bothered. The only way these I can’t be bothered. I’m invincible type. People will learn as if they end up with an illness or a disability themselves.
It’s a daily battle, I won’t sugarcoat it, but finding small wins helps. Some days are harder than others, but having a support system and giving yourself grace to adjust makes a world of difference.
Thank you for the reply, It is hard to deal with the medical condition not knowing what is going to happen the next day and where you will be. But having good support system is a blessing. I depend on my family when it comes to being driven around and being taken for follow-up appointments. Having to go up on medication dosage is another thing which i had to do. It makes you feel like your starting all over and thinking and hoping this will help you with the seizures. We just hope for better things to come.i agree with that i have 4 sisters that live in the same state that i did and they all turned there back on me and i myself am to trusting and i got used so bad in my 1st marraige that ,that didnt help either. I have 1 sister that i can trust and she moved out of my state but there was know way for her to help me so i just plain moved in my bf state and been her 4 years with him and his family .
Hi there!
Thank you for sharing your story. First of all, I want to acknowledge the incredible dedication and service you’ve given during your 35-year career as a police officer. It’s understandable that retiring earlier than expected and navigating life changes has been frustrating, but it’s also inspiring to hear how you’re coping and seeking ways to move forward.
I can relate to the challenges of living with epilepsy. One way I’ve found purpose is through advocacy and education. Have you ever considered teaching seizure safety to law enforcement? It’s a critical area that often gets overlooked, and your experience in the field combined with your personal journey could make such a difference.
For my nonprofit, I’ve trained with officers- on seizure safety, and I’ve seen firsth and how much it’s needed. Officers often encounter situations where recognizing seizures or responding appropriately can save lives. Prevent unnecessary harm and keep he person safe.
I also wanted to share these articles :
https://epilepsydisease.com/living/criminal-justice-and-seizures
https://epilepsydisease.com/living/changing-epilepsy-medications
https://epilepsydisease.com/clinical/invisible-burden
Your experience and perspective are so valuable, and I know you have a lot to offer. If there’s any way I can support you or help you explore these ideas further, please let me know!Take care!
Derra Howard
Epilepsy Team Member
