Letter To You

Dear Epilepsy,

I’d like to tell you that many obstacles have gotten in the way of my life throughout these years. I hope you know that your the biggest obstacle I face each day this stupid neurological disorder that causes recurrent seizures. When dealing with you, they're restrictions through this process; whereas I can’t play sports nor be allowed to by myself. Such as; I used to play softball, volleyball, and lacrosse but stopped after being diagnosed. Everything happened when having my first seizure at the age of 12 while visiting my grandmother in South Carolina.

Likewise, on a Tuesday, I woke up in the hospital; feeling lost & confused. My family was there with me and my mother notified me that I had a seizure. Eventually, some doctors came in; one which was a neurologist, noticing them taking my blood to test. In addition, the tests they took were called Electroencephalography (aka EEG) which involves finding problems in the brain. Besides the EEG they did a Magnetic Field and Radio ( aka MRI) that deals with tissues & organs in the body.

In this case, after the tests; the neurologist came back and informed my family and I that he discovered something in my brain. According to what he saw and what he found, he noticed that I had YOU. However, I wasn't in Maryland so the doctors both encouraged me to see a neurologist when I got back home to go further steps.

On the contrary, I didn't know much about seizure disorders such as you. While being there, the doctor told me about restrictions I must follow and to notify the school. Following this, when I got back home; the school put me on a 504-plan whereas I could get extra time on assignments, excused from certain things, to take a break if needed, and can report to the nurse at any means; it was approved by my new neurologist Dr. De Fazio.

Having you honestly ruined my life and it sucks because I take so much medication over and over everyday. Also with my medication I used to be so sad, very down, and feeling unhappy. Not to mention every time I go out somewhere with my friends, I have to notify them about it each time. I used to work with kids this past year and my job was partially restricted considering I wasn’t allowed to get in the water with the children all because of you. It’s now 2020; I'm 19 years old, still diagnosed but my condition is getting worse and it’s making me upset. This year I've had way more seizures than I've had in the 6 years of being diagnosed.

To be very honest, it can be very hard to trust certain people and tell them about my condition because many people can be ignorant. Some people thought I would get special treatment but all I wanted was to be treated like everyone else, a regular kid but that never happened. Part of me wants to thank you for the support of my family because I've grown closer with them and I feel more loved considering how much they take care of me. At the same time thanks for making my life a living hell.