Do U Have A “Seizure Disorder” Or Are U An “EPILEPTIC”? When Did Your “Disorder” Become A “DISABILITY?” | MyEpilepsyTeam

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Do U Have A “Seizure Disorder” Or Are U An “EPILEPTIC”? When Did Your “Disorder” Become A “DISABILITY?”
A MyEpilepsyTeam Member asked a question 💭

U have a “Seizure Disorder.”
Do u feel u are being LABELED if persons call u an “EPILEPTIC?” [Labels can be positive or negative].
Moreover, do u get public assistance from your “disorder?” Did u feel u were appropriately LABELED as a “DISABLED EPILEPTIC?”
How do u feel? And where do we draw the line when your seizure disorder crosses over into a seizure disability?

posted January 29, 2018
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A MyEpilepsyTeam Member

Any disABILITY is only a ‘DIS’ability in as much as you allow it to be. I realise that my epilepsy is a ‘Hidden’ DISability and only manifests itself in the times when we have our seizures and we shouldn’t allow ourselves to become overcome by this very small percentage of the time that this takes up in our lives. Instead we can focus on the vast majority of the time when we are seizure free. If you are preoccupied with simply always thinking about your epilepsy I believe it will lead to you taking more.

Labels are never positive - as we can be categorized and allow ourselves to be given an inappropriate label. 99.9% of the time we are as ‘normal’ as everyone else and should never allow ourselves to become labeled because of a tiny percentage of our time. 0.1% of the time, when we have an issue with regards our circumstances it is a tiny drop in the ocean - focus on the other 99.9% and celebrate it.

We only allow our seizure disorder to become a disorder when we let it disrupt the order our lives have. Personally I never let anything become the domineering force or influence in my life and allow it to take control of my life. Allow this to happen and you loose what little control you have over your present, and more importantly your future, completely which is totally detrimental to your life.

If you allow any form of disability to take over your life then your life looses its spontaneity and you begin to let your life drag you down with it. Try to accept the hand you have been dealt and simply get on with life. If I had of allowed my epilepsy or my paralysis to dictate how I lived my life I would have given up decades ago and spent my days sitting in my chair in a nursing home staring out the window watching the world go by. Instead I really enjoy life and never focus on the negativities but on the positivity every day offers.

My ‘disorder’ never became a disability and they never will either. Think only positive thoughts - it makes a profound difference!

Live each day as though it’s your last and set yourself realistic goals but still challenging ones. Enjoy your life and love yourself.

Give it a go - you might even amaze yourself, 😂

@A MyEpilepsyTeam Member

posted January 31, 2018
A MyEpilepsyTeam Member

Dont worry I'm both in a wheelchair bound if you worry about it will make you feel worse

posted January 30, 2018
A MyEpilepsyTeam Member

Hi @A MyEpilepsyTeam Member, wow, thanks - I never had heard of this though I’ve epilepsy for almost over 45 years! I know I’ve major bone probs as I’ve over 11 spinal fractures and am paralyzed from the chest down. Hope that you are coping well? Always think of the positive as it really changes your outlook on life.
I’m lucky in that my seizures are totally control of my seizures but am on 3 different anticonvulsants. Am really lucky and I appreciate this every day.
I know that i still have epilepsy and without my meds i know that they’d only start again.
Talk2u soon,
Thanks,
@A MyEpilepsyTeam Member

posted February 2, 2018
A MyEpilepsyTeam Member

No, never an epileptic. Just a person who happens to have epilepsy. Xx

posted January 30, 2018
A MyEpilepsyTeam Member

The seizures are ‘epileptic’ we are like everyone else other than we have a tendency to have epileptic seizures - the seizures are epileptic! We are people first and foremost and that we happen to have epilepsy should come way WAY down the list of words we use when describing ourselves not first - we are all much much more first and we need to instill this in our own subconscious and never allow it to dictate and ruin our lives and the impression we give to others.

I never allowed it to totally ‘disable’ my life and instead went on to complete a number of 3rd level qualifications and was in the process of doing my Masters Degree when I was a passenger in a car hit by a drunk driver while studying in the States and was left paralyzed from the chest down too! I did not allow that to hold me back either and returned to Ireland and set up my own company and later went on to join the Civil Service where I now work. My disorder never became a disability but could have if I allowed it to.

Never allow anyone to put a stupid label on you or otherwise it will stick and leave you with being the way people picture and wrongly to be. You can do anything you put your mind to.

Stay strong and become loving of yourself first and foremost, love yourself no matter what - it is the best and only way to overcome all that stands in our ways.

Best regards,

Loads of hugs 🤗 🤗 🤗 I

@A MyEpilepsyTeam Member

posted January 30, 2018

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