Seizures In School | MyEpilepsyTeam

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Seizures In School
A MyEpilepsyTeam Member asked a question 💭

I have been a teacher for 24 years. But last week, for the first time, I seized in front of my class. I was in the middle of a lesson. My kids were amazing. I have prepared every class on the first day of school with a just in case procedure, and they were rock stars. But for 23 years it was never needed. School seemed to become a safe haven from my seizures. I had them very infrequently over the years but never in school. I hit my head and have been sporting a black eye trying to teach these… read more

posted October 3, 2021
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A MyEpilepsyTeam Member

@A MyEpilepsyTeam Member the kids have been wonderful. All the parents I spoken to have expressed concern for my well-being. I have been at my current school 13 years now. So many parents I know because I've taught their other kids. Being a small school may be a good thing for me. I don't know. So far there have been questions, which I have tried to be as transparent as possible, but otherwise it has been concern for me. All I can do is pray an increase in meds is all I need and it is another 5 years before I have my next.

posted October 4, 2021
A MyEpilepsyTeam Member

I had to stop teaching in 2017 due to my exacerbating seizure symptoms. I miss it. Still hoping I’ll return to teaching & accompanying… but I’ve been getting worse - so presently moving in the wrong direction.
Good for you with your preparation plans though! It’s frustrating when people don’t understand or over dramatize your situation to question you like that. I’m sorry, & good luck!!!

posted October 3, 2021
A MyEpilepsyTeam Member

I was diagnosed in 1978 just as I had qualified as a speech &language therapist Back then my tonic/clonic seizures were few &far between so they didn't impact on my work I took a 14year break from work to bring up 3children ,still no problems.When my daughter was 9 I had a bad seizure ,I hadn't prepared the my kids as it haver been a problem It traumatised my daughter for a few weeks Fast forward to 2001- 2017 (when I retired)my seizures became more frequent &had changed to non convulsive partials with long post ictal confusion/cognitive problems at the time of seizures.Following 2 really bad experiences with relatives of the children I worked with ,part of my risk assessment was to explain my type of epilepsy at the first appointment.,that I may become confused ,unable to communicate(ironic due to the nature of my work ,!)Quite a lot of parents said they new somebody with epilepsy .I think the most obvious seizures are scary but the 'unseen'ones are more annoying for the relatives. Your class sound like stars .Personally I think first aid etc should be an essential part of a school's curriculum Good luck x

posted October 4, 2021
A MyEpilepsyTeam Member

I lost a job due to the parents fear of my seizures. Although the seizure was not during working hours or in front of the children, the seizure was still seen by a parent that reported to the employer that it was me or her paycheck. The fact that you have an adult conserened about bringing in a therapist for the kids is probably a very bad thing. You may have to fight for your job. If it gets bad enough you may need to consider medical and legal support. For the moment I would suggest reviewing your rights and looking into defense used for similar cases that were succesful in the end. I really hope I'm wrong but the word incapable may soon be headed your way. Good luck!

posted October 3, 2021
A MyEpilepsyTeam Member

I have had experience in classes in kindergarten, grammar, middle school, high school and college. Reactions from people were all the same. People don't want the symptoms to come within there reach so they stay away from you like the plaque. In your case JillEmbryCorbett, i think its great that you were able to share that with your students and they were receptive about it. Now comes the hard part, getting the parents of those kids and administration to accept your disability. Its a shame to go to school for so long and develop a skill you are interested in only to find out that businesses will not hire you because you have epilepsy and they will not make reasonable accommodations. How does one pay back their school loan?

posted October 3, 2021

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