bindiallemand

Epilepsy Awareness Month!!! 💜💜💜

Epilepsy is something that has been a part of my life since I was young. And if there is one thing I wish people knew, it’s that epilepsy is so much more than just having a seizure. People see the seizures, but they don’t see everything that comes with them. They don’t see the brain fog, the memory loss, the exhaustion, the confusion, or the toll it takes on your body and mind. They don’t see the frustration of forgetting things, struggling to complete simple everyday tasks, or feeling like your own brain is working against you.They don’t see the things epilepsy takes away from you. Not being able to drive, losing some of your independence, having to miss out on fun activities, and constantly having to think about your safety. Things that seem so simple to everyone else can become everyday challenges. Sometimes you have to sit out, say no, or miss experiences because of something completely out of your control. And something I wish more people understood is how scary epilepsy is for the person actually going through it. Just at any moment you can loose total control of yourself/body. The mental toll of constantly living with that fear is something that is incredibly hard to explain.

It’s not just the seizure itself. It’s what happens afterward. It’s the exhaustion, confusion, memory loss, soreness, and trying to get yourself back to feeling normal. It’s the mental and emotional exhaustion of having to pick yourself back up and continue with life when your body has just been through something so traumatic.
And something people don’t always talk about is how scary seizures are for the people around you, too. Knowing that my friends and family have had to witness me having a seizure is something that is hard to put into words. I can’t imagine how terrifying it must be to watch someone you love go through something like that and feel helpless in the moment. It’s scary knowing that the people closest to me have had to experience those moments right alongside me. Epilepsy doesn’t just affect the person diagnosed; it affects the people who love them, worry about them. One of the hardest parts is that you can look completely fine on