I am one of a fortunate number whose epilepsy management has been mostly successful.
Epilepsy: an amorphous set of
chronic brain disorders.
chronic brain disorders.
Depth and detail defined by
types of seizures,
time of day,
patterns of seizures,
causes of seizures,
triggers that provoke seizures,
severity of seizures,
frequency of seizures,
inherited or acquired,
ages of onset........
Limited but complex treatments ~
medication ~ one, two or more anticonvulsants,
or after much diagnosis, tests and trials ~
brain surgery to remove scar tissue.
From pill to operating room ~ a pretty big leap!
History grants us unwelcome stigma,
centuries old beliefs that seizures proved
demonic possession
curses from the gods
witchcraft.
Our ancestors ~
hidden,
reviled,
shamed,
feared......
Today, those of us carrying epilepsy learn about
triggers,
patterns,
frequency......
Offsetting old messages of shame with
present day living...learning that
epilepsy is the real demon.
We moderate and modulate our lives
enabling our participation ~
as normally as possible ~
and enjoy life with limited intrusion.
We would like to be
moms or dads
friends and family
independent
We would like to mingle in the world.
“I want by understanding myself,
to understand others.”
~ Katherine Mansfield
3 comments:
Lovely, Sue. I like the form as well as the words! Where did you find the Katherine Mansfield quote?
Thank you Jan
I found Katherine Mansfield quote in a daily reading book I was given in 1989. The book is Today's Gifts - Daily Meditations for Families.
I wondered, as I learned of this author from a local poet who has written a nook of poetry honouring her life, both books are interesting and worth reading.
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