Well said McKayla! I absolutely agree with you.

I have been very fortunate to no longer have seizures, since had a brain surgery in 1997 when I was 17 years old. I have returned the favor of all the support given to me during the tough time by becoming a motivational speaker. Words cannot express the joy I feel when I have connected with another person who is epileptic and having a difficult time.

Being diagnosed has been a very humbling adventure. This is not how I wanted my life to turn out but I believe things happen for a reason & if I weren’t strong enough to handle it it wouldn’t have happened to me. It has brought my family & friends closer to me & they all have given me a lot of support. I have learned so much about epilepsy & the different types of seizures. I have learned to not take things for granted such as driving or just being able to go somewhere alone which is not allowed at the moment. I having my nursing license but I can’t do direct patient care till I’m 6 months seizure free which is frustrating because I wanted to be a cardiac nurse & I had a job but I think I will be a better nurse because of being diagnosed & I have experienced the patient’s side more & will be able to care for my patients better. I’m on a new journey to find myself that includes my diagnosis of epilepsy & my goal is to not let it define me but know that it will always be a part of me from now on. I have also met one of the greatest doctors ever, my neurologist, Dr. Sparrow, is amazing & I can tell she truly cares about me & is invested in my health.

It has taught me to be patient when you are unable to drive you have to constantly wait, wait,wait for someone to drive u somewhere, It has taught me to not let things you can't control stress you out its not worth having a seizure over. Get out and see things you always wanted to you only live once.

Getting involved in a Support Group through the Epilepsy Foundation ( in the USA ). It helped me learn more about the others and more things on Epilepsy. It also helped me cope easier. I besides the support group the Epilepsy Foundation also did camping events along with the support group.

Living with Epilepsy also helps respect others who have disorders like Autism, Mental Illness , Bipolar, ADHD/ADD, Depression, schizophrenic, deaf , blindness and ect.

Epilepsy help me think more positive and understand that there are as many good things as there are bad. That doesn’t mean that we have to think that way. Just understanding the negative things is all we need . But we still can think positively and go forward.

If I didn't have epilepsy and could drive, there would be risks of being injured, or probably killed, from drunk drivers, speeders or other driver(s) crashing into me and my car (if I had one) causing a car accident. There would also be a risk about getting home late, or somewhere else, because of being stuck in a traffic jam.
But since I do have epilepsy and can't drive, I'm glad. I don't have to take any of those risks. I feel safe.