Epilepsy Ontario :: Life with Epilepsy

Life with Epilepsy
by Melissa Seichter

Just prior to grade eleven, I began to experience strong deja vu experiences, as well as burning scents and eventually numbness: despite the various doctors, pediatricians and tests I encountered, the cause was not deciphered. As the grade started, I had a grand mal seizure and was rushed to McMaster Hospital where I stayed for several days undergoing MRIs, EEGs, CT scans, blood tests and many more examinations. Being diagnosed with epilepsy utterly changed my health. This has greatly affected my life, having experienced complex partial seizures throughout the day and night constantly. As a result, several types of medications were encountered in addition to Lupron injections every three weeks. On February 15, 2007, I finally experienced a left temporal lobectomy at Sick Kids Hospital in Toronto. The past two years of my life have dramatically changed through this ordeal, although I have persistently tried to maintain a positive attitude. I feel that I have changed into a strong, caring and thorough character--having affected my perspective on academic, emotional, and physical concepts. As a result, I have built enthusiastic strategies to live with my disabilities: most importantly, I think positive.

While becoming a senior student in high school, my academic routines have changed substantially due to my memory loss, high dosages of medication and significant school absenteeism. However, I have constantly been able to accomplish my home work in detail with my own deliberate and thorough educated reading: I am someone able to individually achieve my courses mostly on my own as I have a strong desire to learn. In addition, I complete all assignments prior to the evening when taking my medication, allowing a consistent understanding of my work prior to drowsiness and other affects that take place. Finally, experiencing memory loss, mostly in retrieving specific words, I have again adjusted to the disability. I picture certain concepts when studying for tests and reviewing ideas, this visualizing technique allows me to comprehend specific points and ideas. Over the past two years, I have constantly been able to maintain the honor role. In addition, with my exceptional business education, I was able to strongly contribute to the marketing challenge my school participated in, rating highly. Despite certain disadvantages that I have experienced academically, I am still committed to unrelenting effort as well as systematic and comprehensive work.

In addition to intellectual changes, my personal emotions have changed while experiencing a different individual perspective on life. Most importantly, thinking positively has changed my outlook. Negative perspectives and depressing sensations lead to sad, lonely feelings. Opposed to this, my positive perspective increases my motivation; I am able to stay strong and have a sense of purpose. While one's passions remain strong and hopeful, a person is able to accomplish many things. I also attend mass weekly when feeling well and have faith in my community. Remaining close and in touch with my family, friends, and community is a major aspect of my life. I have volunteered at Idlewyld Manor with senior recreation events, at Bishop Tonnos with grade eight orientations and school blessing within the past 18 months. Although epileptic seizures prevent me from participating in many events, I extremely enjoy being involved in my community. My ability to volunteer has decreased--however I try to participate in events whenever possible. It is my positive perspective, though, that is most important; this has helped diminished much disbelief.

Finally, epilepsy has been physically affective, especially within sports and community involvement. Although I am unable to swim competitively with my school's team, I have currently been able to participate in timing the team's swim laps. Every spring, I have also participated on Bishop Tonnos' badminton team, competing in two events during the annual competition; I hope to be able to play and complete in future badminton events. In the past, I was also a strong member of St. Thomas More's basketball team and on HBA basketball teams. For now, I attend and support my two younger brothers' basketball games and teach them techniques. I have been able to complete science contests as well as math contests in the past with favorable marks. Currently, I am now able to do personal exercises to increase my fitness, in addition to my new healthy eating habits. In regards to my age, I may not learn how to drive a vehicle for quite some time now due to my seizures. Instead, I have been able to learn the city's bus system better, as well as rely on my family for help with transportation. Although my physical abilities have changed, my devotions and enthusiasm remain an important segment of my life.

Although many aspects of my life have changed, I remain committed to learning and competing as I go forward. Epilepsy has powerfully changed my educational, emotional, and physical aspects of life. I have a prevailing goal to attend university and achieve a degree in business, despite the learning changes I have experienced. In some ways, I now feel stronger with a very positive attitude, an understanding of people with disabilities, and a healthier lifestyle.