Epilepsy Awareness Month: Let’s Not Judge

It’s hard to believe there is still stigma surrounding Epilepsy, even today and in many cultures.  The myths surrounding Epilepsy are outlandish and absurd and could easily be ignored if they weren’t still perpetuated today, causing real harm to those with Epilepsy.

Robert experienced judgment from others because of his Epilepsy.

Robert senior picture

I shared a story at Robert’s Celebration of Life about him having seizures at school (middle school if I remember correctly) and kids making fun of him. I remember picking Robert up from school once because he had a seizure and had wet his pants. Robert would sometimes become incontinent with his seizures so I can only imagine the embarrassment he felt when it happened at school or other public place.

I don’t know if it was because of that instance or another time he had a seizure in class but Robert knew the kids were making fun of him. Robert didn’t let that moment of embarrassment deter him though. He asked the teacher if he could talk to the class about his Epilepsy and the seizures. Thank goodness that teacher said yes because it was so important to Robert. He told me that story multiple times and was so proud he was able to talk the kids who made fun of him. How brave of him to do that! As for me, I couldn’t talk in front of the class without turning bright red!  

People sometimes make fun of things they don’t understand. Sometimes people judge others when they don’t understand something. 

Goofing around

One time, our family was at a lunch when Other Brother Rich was in college in the Bay Area. It was a big deal that our brother went to Berkeley and visiting Rich was a treat for all of us. 

We were at a crowded café, nothing fancy so the tables were pretty close together. People were coming in and out and all the tables were full during the noon rush. Robert had a seizure during our lunch and fell to the floor. I actually never got used to seeing Robert have a seizure whether it was a Tonic Clonic or Focal Impaired seizure. It was difficult for me to see him like that. If I never got used to it, I’m sure others were uncomfortable, especially if they had never seen one before. 

That day, though, as Robert was having his seizure, I overheard one of the patrons on the way out the door say something to the effect that he was probably on drugs. 

Oh my gosh, that infuriated me. When I relive that in my head now I imagine following them out of the café and really giving them a piece of my mind. (Yes, the movie version of this scene in my head has me cornering them outside and screaming at them!) I am sure I didn’t do that but boy did I want to! 

(The things we think of after a situation is over! Or maybe that’s just me.)

Robert recovered that day. I probably didn’t scream at anyone and I’m sure we all finished our sandwiches and enjoyed hanging out with Other Brother. 

I think about this from time to time and really hope that the person who mistakenly thought Robert was a drug addict eventually learned about Epilepsy and regrets his comment. I don’t want him to beat himself up too much about it because maybe he just didn’t know. Maybe it looked scary to him (it was scary to me!) and he didn’t know how else to react. 

He also could have just been a jerk but I like to think the best of people. 

None of us knows everything about everything so we really shouldn’t judge ourselves for making stupid mistakes before we know better. 

It’s making sure we get to the “knowing better” point that’s important. 

So let’s know better and not judge when we see something that’s different or makes us uncomfortable. 

Trip to Santa Cruz