By Deron Hamel
In November, Rob Jamieson, a 21-year veteran of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), was elected to a two-year term as president and CEO of the union representing 9,200 uniformed officers and civilians working for the police force. He is also living with epilepsy.
Jamieson’s new position with the Ontario Provincial Police Association (OPPA) is the result of many years of hard work and support from his family, friends and OPP colleagues. He is also an example of how people living with epilepsy should not let their condition stand in the way of their aspirations. This is the message he wants to send to people living with epilepsy.
“I want that young kid who has epilepsy to read this and be inspired; I want to reduce the stigma (of epilepsy),” Jamieson says.
Jamieson says if asked 10 years ago if he envisioned himself as head of one of the largest police unions in Canada, his answer would have been no. However, he is committed to helping others, so it’s not a complete shock either.
“Did I see myself specifically in this position? No. But did I see a role something like this, or did I see something like this happening through hard work and support? Yeah, anything is possible, as long as I am in that role of helping others,” he says.
When Voices of Epilepsy first spoke with Jamieson in April 2015, he recounted the challenges he has faced in his career because of epilepsy. What made a difference, he says, is the OPP’s supportive culture, which helped him work through those challenges.
When he lost his driver’s licence for a year after being diagnosed in 1997, the OPP put him on foot patrol for a time. When it came to working overnight shifts, the Barrie detachment scheduled him to work until 3 a.m. rather than to 7 a.m. because working until dawn negatively impacted his circadian rhythm, the changes in mental and physical characteristics occurring in our bodies during a 24-hour period.
Jamieson suffered his first two seizures in November 1996 and February 1997. After suffering a tonic-clonic seizure at home in December 1999, he began taking a new medication, Epival. This switch in medication reduced Jamieson’s seizures. Once the optimal dosage was determined by his doctor, the seizures stopped – permanently.
He has not had a seizure since 2004.
Jamieson says he was also inspired to contact Voices of Epilepsy to talk about the medication shortage and how Epival has been integral to dealing with his condition – and his ability to have a successful career.
The Epival shortage has him concerned. Like others taking the medication, he would like to see action taken to avoid shortages of the anti-seizure medication, which helps improve quality of life for many people living with epilepsy.
“I can’t tell you how disconcerting (the Epival shortage) is,” he says. “I have enough for the next three months, but I wanted to add my voice to this. I want to do everything I can to support people with epilepsy.”
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