When a person is first diagnosed with epilepsy they are likely to feel rather shocked and confused.  However, an epilepsy diagnosis is not a disaster.  The most important thing is to know and understand as much as possible about epilepsy and how it affects you. 

Certainly, you may need to make some small changes in your life, but the right attitude will certainly help those around you understand the condition.

Isolating people with epilepsy and other disabilities contributes to alienation and presents a delay to the person trying to overcome obstacles.  We know that recreational activities are very important for socialising and happiness and this is also true for a person with epilepsy. 

Achieving balance between a safe and an active life is possible by simply making a few adjustments to activities.  Active recreational activities improve both mental and physical health and should be encouraged for people with epilepsy.  Most sports can be safely pursued by people with epilepsy and with some adjustments they can enjoy most activities, even some which may be considered dangerous by many people.  Often the risks are no greater for people with epilepsy than for able-bodied people.  The risk of injury must also be weighed up against the positive effects of team participation.

Considering the challenges faced by a person with epilepsy it seems excessive to also expect him/her to deal with additional pressures from society.  People who do not understand the condition and act out of fear or misconceptions affect the life of a person with epilepsy drastically.  There is no reason for this.  Why would it be necessary to add to the challenge if information can bring society to understanding people with epilepsy?

As with other medical problems, epilepsy can present schools with a number of challenges and opportunities. The number of children with epilepsy that attend mainstream schools has risen in the past few years, but educating the remaining schools about epilepsy might open the door for more children to be included.  

It is important for people with epilepsy to remain open and approachable to others to enable them to educate them and help them to understand the condition.  The support and understanding of family and friends is invaluable and talking about epilepsy is one of the best remedies.  Make sure people have the correct facts about your condition.  It is no disgrace to have epilepsy and it would be a tragedy to let it dominate your life.

Drikie Snyman