What epilepsy is. What epilepsy isn’t.

This post is part of a series on epilepsy.  

I’ve said it over and over here: seizures are not all the jerking and convulsing “Grand Mal” you see on TV and movies.

There are drop seizures.  Absence seizures.  Partial complex seizures.  Tonic clonic seizures (grand mal).  Myoclonic seizures.  (See here for more details on each type.)

I saw this video on YouTube and knew I had to share it with you.

Because it so heartbreakingly shows how epilepsy is not just about seizures.  And how seizures don’t all look like what you think they do.

I don’t know this family.

Our struggle with epilepsy looks nothing like this.

Look, I’m not a video person.  When people post videos, I usually click away.  When I know it’s a video that might make me sad, I’m about 99% more likely to click away.

I get it.

But this is so important.  Dispelling the myths of what epilepsy is.  Dispelling the myths of what epilepsy isn’t.

To help you become  a better friend to the person you will someday likely meet who could use your support.

1 in 26 people, remember?

The second video was produced by Nathan Jones.  He works at the Epilepsy Foundation of Greater Los Angeles and we chatted for a long time the other day.  As a mom, a mom who has no idea what a seizure feels like, Nathan’s video is of especial interest to me.   The fact that it gives me a teeny glimpse into what it might feel like for my girl is HUGE.  Everyone experiences seizures differently, but the thought that she might actually be able to hear my voice and understand me, when she seems so far away, is of huge help.

 

You better believe I won’t stop whispering encouragement in her little ear the next time she has an episode.  I want her to know I’m there.  Right there.  Always.

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T-shirt and band sales are closed, but you can still buy a printable with proceeds benefitting our fundraiser.

You can also still make a tax-deductible donation directly to our fundraising page HERE.  We will be taking donations through the day of the Walk on November 17th.

Thanks for reading along, friends.

We’re learning.  Together.

And learning makes us better people.

Not because it makes us smarter.

But because it makes us more compassionate.

 

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jeannett
I'm a mom to four. A wife to one. I believe in story. I love telling you about mine and would love to hear yours. There's really no sense in wasting our suffering and not sharing in each other's joy. We're all in this together...even if it doesn't always feel like it.
jeannett
jeannett

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Comments

  1. 1

    wowsa. blown away by both videos. NEVER knew there were so many types of seizures. I’m learning more w/your posts but it’s HARD. It would be so much easier to just click away but I’m not. Thanks Jeannett.

  2. 2

    Not another moment lost to seizures. Thank you for bringing awareness.
    Laurie´s last blog post ..so we are not giving up {guest post}

  3. 3
    Mary Foster says:

    These videos were absolutely brutal to watch but your willingness to share your story (and the stories of so many others) is truly beautiful. Yes, this whole series has been brutiful. Thank you for sharing and for helping educate those of us who know so little about something you wish desperately you did not know so well.

  4. 4

    thanks so much for your blog!! I have cried through so many posts as I have read your words and agreed with so many things you have said. Thank you for bringing awareness!! As a pediatric RN who is now the mother of a daughter fighting epilepsy..I will be sharing your posts and keeping up with your beautiful family!! THANK YOU!!

  5. 5

    Wow. Those videos were eye-openers. Thank you.
    Lindsay´s last blog post ..Hello, October.

  6. 6

    There must be some purpose in this Universe for things like this to happen to such innocence because every time it happens, it always seems to happen to people who are strong enough to take it on. Thank you for sharing these wonderful videos, my prayers go out to you.
    Brian´s last blog post ..Life Insurance for Overweight Individuals.