But, although you feel scared about going out, or places that are different to you, it is the breaking of the "fear" to do such things that actually help you from feeling odd about being in those situations. That's how I beat it. I dared to go outside the envelope, and went where I was dared to go. Even across America four times. First thing was "baby steps" to test my capabilities, then each step was a little farther... My biggest step was test myself at being self sufficient so that even if I was alone, I could find my way back to a safe haven. The biggest of my worries,which was solved by making sure I had enough, was my medication. When first going across America, I had 3 months of meds. Also, I learned how to camp and get along with others of any kind. That is a large factor, because when one finds themselves in a foreign town/ city, the first worry is security of medicine. The next thing is communication of those who care. Just in case of emergency. Confidence is what is learned while experiencing the trust of others along the way. Before you know it, you are a veteran at being able to climb any mountain. But you must be sure your seizures won't defeat you by being too far out of control. Not everyone is as daring as I am. Along the way, I had grand mals in places like CA, MT, DE, AZ,.... All from running out of meds.

At 19 most of friends go out drinking and things i try to have as much as a normal teenage life as I can I joined a choir and things like that I used to be so scared about going out on my own just in case I had a seizure but I reliezed that's no way to live and thought yeah I could have a seizure there's no point in stressing about something that may or may not happen.

I was diagnosed at the age of 12. I was lucky to have one VERY close friend and we went everywhere together. She knew what to do if something happened. I did fear I might have a seizure while at a party or at the movies etc, but I was usually around my friends from school or church and everyone knows I'm epileptic. There will always be that fear, what if...? The best thing is to always have a plan. Make sure someone you are with knows about your seizures and what to do. Wear a medic alert bracelet or make sure you have that info with you somewhere (purse, wallet etc...). It's not as hard as you might think to have a normal, active social life. I ran track and cross country, sang in a band, performed in the theater. It's just being prepared in case something happens.

But, although you feel scared about going out, or places that are different to you, it is the breaking of the "fear" to do such things that actually help you from feeling odd about being in those situations. That's how I beat it. I dared to go outside the envelope, and went where I was dared to go. Even across America four times. First thing was "baby steps" to test my capabilities, then each step was a little farther... My biggest step was test myself at being self sufficient so that even if I was alone, I could find my way back to a safe haven. The biggest of my worries,which was solved by making sure I had enough, was my medication. When first going across America, I had 3 months of meds. Also, I learned how to camp and get along with others of any kind. That is a large factor, because when one finds themselves in a foreign town/ city, the first worry is security of medicine. The next thing is communication of those who care. Just in case of emergency. Confidence is what is learned while experiencing the trust of others along the way. Before you know it, you are a veteran at being able to climb any mountain. But you must be sure your seizures won't defeat you by being too far out of control. Not everyone is as daring as I am. Along the way, I had grand mals in places like CA, MT, DE, AZ,.... All from running out of meds.

As for support groups. I was 14 when my Mom had me go to one back in the 70 s, but back then it was more of a psychological group. They forced me to talk about what was new to me that I knew nothing about. Also, they made me feel as if was all my fault. That got me to withdraw from others and do my own research. Even after learning so much more than anyone I knew, my Mom always looked at, and treated me like a "different" child. Like the one who didn't live. It became my reason to look for solitude in everything I did. My siblings did the same. Now, I don't regret it,because it made me become my own man. I hitched across America four times and preached about epilepsy and how it is not a disability. Now, at a major casino, I still do the same.