Today’s post is not necessarily related to social media, but I am using the social media tools to help spread awareness about a very important cause, share my story, and let others know about a fundraiser event in Lansing, MI today. The Epilepsy Foundation is an organization that I hold near & dear to my heart as someone who lives daily with epilepsy, and has experienced grand mal seizures throughout my lifetime.
According to the Epilepsy Foundation of Michigan, approximately one out of 10 adults will experience one seizure during their lifetime. Nationally, about 2.7 million people have some form of epilepsy. Thirty percent of them are children under the age of 18. The Foundation strives to close the treatment gap between what is being done for people with epilepsy & what SHOULD be done, Improve how people with epilepsy are perceived, accepted and valued in society, and empower those living with epilepsy and their families. Looking at the Foundations second goal, I can not say enough about how thankful that I am for my parents and family members. After discovering that I had epilepsy, I was never made to feel like I had a “Disability” or that I was different or should be worrying all of the time. When I experienced a seizure, my family was there to support me, they acted calmly, and gave me the time I needed to recuperate. I wasn’t made fun of, told that I was weird, etc.
First Seizure: I experienced my 1st full blown recognized seizure sophomore year of high school, in the middle of a class project down in the high school library – in front of my class, and other classes full of students. I remember waking to see people hovering over me and asking me all sorts of questions. I was confused, disoriented & in a bit of a haze….not understanding what was happening. Then, I truly woke up to see myself being wheeled into an ER and the frightened & worried faces of my parents.
My Scariest Seizure Experience: One minute I was driving 75 mph south down the highway on my way to work from a friend’s, looking at the Uncle John’s Cider Mill billboard & thinking about BIGGBY coffee. The next thing I remember is seeing a police officer coming towards me through one door of my vehicle, and a paramedic coming through my driver side door asking me questions….all while looking out the front window and seeing the highway lanes heading north….but I was in some sort of field – and I knew. I had another seizure.
Worst Seizure Experience: was the first time a seizure left me feeling sorry for myself, completely helpless, and worthless. This happened a few months ago when I realized that I had had a seizure while making breakfast before heading to church. And all I can say is that I thank God that I had placed my son safely in an exer-saucer just within sight around the corner- or he may have been severely hurt, not to mention scared. Now that I have a young son, living with epilepsy has become a bigger deal.
This is why I am holding this fundraiser today & why the Epilepsy Foundation is so important…..they strive to keep people like me safe, help families like mine understand what it’s like to support someone with epilepsy, and they work towards ensuring that not another moment is lost to seizures!
CEdge Social 