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Samantha... My name is Samantha- Sam for short- and I am 17. My first seizure was when I was 13. I was diagnosed through a number of different tests, and I also had a grand mal seizure in front of the doctors in Logan Hospital. I have complex partial seizures, which are not controlled, so it’s a real pain. My family are very supportive, and were quite protective at first. My friends have also been supportive and have helped me a lot, building up my confidence etc. I haven’t had any problems with my medication, except that it has had to be increased on a few occasions. I used to think I was the only person who had epilepsy, but have recently met a few other people around my age who have it, and that’s been really good, to know I am not alone. Epilepsy has changed me a lot. It has made me realise that having epilepsy is nothing, compared to what some other young people go through. There are lots of other young people worse than me. My life has, and will continue to be, changed, as I am restricted in a few ways, such as having to be seizure free for two years before I can get my learner’s licence. I can’t drink alcohol next year when I turn 18, but I believe you don’t have to drink alcohol to have fun. I can’t go swimming by myself which I find annoying. The thing that helps me cope with epilepsy is knowing that there are others out there in world just like me.
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