For a few years now she has been trying to get the awareness out there about epilepsy. Her life was changed when her oldest son, still in high school was diagnosed. it was not an easy diagnosis and for a very long time no one was really sure what was happening. I have seen her do EVERYTHING she could to help him. She did special diets for him, she worked her butt off to help him in school and make his teachers aware that while he looks fine he is in fact having a seizure. Many times, especially in the beginning, he suffered several seizures a day.
He is on so many medications to help him that he is often tired. His memory and cognition are poor. Because of this school is really hard for him. He is socially shy. He can no longer play sports. And he cannot drive. All teenagers want to drive and because of his epilepsy he can't drive a car.
And while her son has this--epilepsy--he is still a really great kid! Despite the hardships of school for him, he is an excellent student, he is a loving son and a great big brother. He enjoys watching sports and engaging in outdoor activities and will probably be a ping pong champion one day soon. Despite his daily struggle he is a wonderful young man.
Today is Epilepsy Awareness and I wear purple to support my friend Jenn who goes through this struggle with her son Brandon. Through Jenn I have learned some disturbing facts about epilepsy:
1 in 26 people will develop epilepsy.
It can occur in anyone at any time.
There is no cure.
Up to 50,000 deaths occur annually in the U.S. from seizure related causes.
This is more than deaths from breast cancer.
The mortality rate for people with epilepsy is is two to three times higher than the general population and the risk of sudden death is twenty-four times greater.
Research for epilepsy is severely under-funded.
Federal dollars spent on research for epilepsy pale in comparison to those spent on other diseases, many of which affect fewer people than those with epilepsy.
My purple mani today is for Jenn and Brandon and the many people who are affected by this disease we know so little about and hear so little regarding.
I chose the beautiful Pahlish The Human Superpower for my purple. Those struggling with epilepsy and those caring for them have to enlist their superpowers just to survive.
Even though there is such a daily struggle with epilepsy for those who suffer with the disease as well as those who love them and support them I chose the butterfly image for my mani. Butterflies are resilient and despite their fragile appearance are strong.
In your day everyday try to remember there might be someone who's suffering you cannot see. Just because their outside shows no sign of struggle understand the struggle is real. Our best defense is always education. The more we know the more we can do. As with cancer, I hope someday soon to see a cure for epilepsy.
