A preteen girl copes with having a "hidden" disability that sometimes manifests itself in the way of seizures.
I look like a very healthy young girl, but looks are deceiving whenever you look at me.
The thing is, I may LOOK healthy, but reality is, I am NOT. I have a disability. This disability is not like a disability you can see, disabilities like cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, or juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, or something of that nature. My disability is "hidden", meaning that you can't see my problem unless I forget to take my medication, and when that happens, I can have seizures, which cause me to black out and fall to the floor, where I will then start jerking uncontrollably and making all sorts of weird noises. It is scary when someone has a seizure; I have seen people having seizures before, so I can only imagine what I must look like to someone whenever I have one! And believe me, it is NOT pretty!
Because of my epilepsy, I am, as I just said, on medications, which help control the severity, or number, of seizures I have. When I take my medications, the fewer seizures; if I forget, the more seizures I will have, and the worse they will be.
Whenever I have a seizure, I will be doing something, and all of a sudden I will smell something like eggs or burning leaves beforehand. This is known as a warning sign, or an "aura"; and this warns me that I am about to have a seizure. I will then emit a cry, and I will then slump to the floor, where I will then start jerking around for a few minutes or so; and usually, the seizure doesn't last more than five minutes. But during the seizure, I will stop breathing momentarily, and my face will then turn blue, and I will probably be drooling; so whenever I DO have a seizure, it is best to turn me on my side and just stay by me until the seizure runs its course. Then, after it is all over and done, the best thing you can do is let me sleep; because usually after a seizure, I am incredibly tired, and my entire body feels like it has been run over by an elephant! LOL
I am active in sports, but I can't go swimming by myself because if I have a seizure while I am in the water, I can drown. I also have to have someone with me at all times when I am at my gymnastics meets because I can fall while I am in the middle of a dangerous routine on the balance beam or uneven parallel bars, and I can get badly injured. I have had a seizure during a meet before, and there is nothing more humiliating or embarrassing; but I try to make the best of it and go to the back, where I can be alone and sort out my feelings. I am so afraid that people will say "things" about my "condition" or that people will tease; but most do not, thank goodness; but it is still a big fear that I have. Epilepsy is often a very misunderstood condition, and even though I may have seizures from time to time, I am still a normal kid who likes to play sports or do things like dance, play the drums, keyboards, fiddle, or Cajun accordion; and I love to paint, read, and draw. I also love to watch tv. (My favorite show is "The Saddle Club", and I also love the "Saddle Club" series of books.)
Coping with a problem like mine DOES have its challenges, but I am NOT about to let my disability bring me down. I am better than my disability, and I am NOT going to be sitting there, feeling sorry for myself! I have a life to lead, and I intend on living my life as best as I can, even though I DO have epilepsy! I may have epilepsy, yes, and I may have seizures, but my seizures OR my epilepsy is NOT going to stop ME from living my life!
an amazing insight into what it's like to have epilepsy, a most misunderstood condition. it's as if you have it yourself (and i know you don't LOL). dramatically depicted, compelling reading; BRAVA, well done!
Alisha is shocked when she learns her seizures can send her back through time. With the meddling of Selene, Goddess of the Moon, and Iris, Messenger Goddess, she finds herself transported to ancient Sparta, where Helen is desperately trying to escape
Colorful interactive book for teaching children the ABC's using God’s creation of the animal kingdom and featuring some of His most exotic creature. More importantly the book segues into the very special love God has for children.
Children love to sink their teeth into sweet and delicious fruit. This story and teaching will have them sinking their hearts into the Fruit of the Spirit.
