Cameron Boyce.
The beloved Disney actor, whose life was swept from his windpipe.
Briar Nolet.
The World of Dance sensation, who has a seizure every time she tries to learn new choreography.
Epilepsy refers to episodes of disrupted electrical activity in the brain, which can vary greatly depending on the part of the brain involved. There are various types of seizures that a person with epilepsy can experience.
Generalised tonic-clonic ‘grand mal’ seizures:
The most recognised, yet most severe type of seizure, is where the body becomes stiff, followed by the jerking of muscles. This seizure is characterised by turning red or blue and loss of bladder control. 7
Generalised absence ‘petit mal’ seizures: These can be prevalent in childhood but can occur in adults. Although ‘petit mal’ seizures are caused by loss of expression, unresponsiveness and stopping activity, the person usually recovers immediately with no memory of the event.
Focal seizures:
Also known as simple partial seizures, or ‘auras’, these begin in one area of the brain, but can spread to other areas. The seizure can be triggered by a ‘rising’ feeling in one’s stomachlike the sensation when on a fairground ride.
Although epilepsy is usually a life-long condition, seizures can be successfully managed. The biggest misconception surrounding epilepsy is that people cannot live normal lives, when, in fact, they can.
Epilepsy is a disorder.
Not a disease.
Despite it being the fourth most common neurological disorder, affecting people of all ages, it is the shallow, insensitive public misunderstandings that cause challenges far worse than the seizures.
The effect of epilepsy is not just being unable to drive. It is not just amnesia, paralysis, anxiety, migraines, depression, and temporary confusion.
It is being branded ‘mentally ill’ by society.
A degenerate; someone incapable of taking control of their own life. We can’t control our own brains; we have enough trouble resisting road rage, let alone an epileptic seizure. Yet, we have the audacity to make epileptics feel like they are at fault for the brain in their head.
No child with epilepsy should be told that they shouldn’t go to school.
No teenager with epilepsy should be told that they’ll never drive in their lifetime.
No adult with epilepsy should be labelled as a failure or upset to society.
No human being should be blamed for their brain.
Let’s appreciate Briar Nolet’s strength and resilience.
Let’s wire our brains to accept people with epilepsy- they are people, too.
- Yvette Willemsen
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