Deanna’s Story
I was diagnosed with Epilepsy at age 15, right as I was heading into highschool. I had very little knowledge of the condition at the time. All I knew was my life was flipped upside down. I was in the hospital more times than I can remember.
Everyday I woke up scared a seizure would happen, life became unpredictable and I was scared. I became embarrassed & ashamed of who I was. I kept the condition to myself as classmates would tease me and just make me feel worse.
Once I graduated, I started to look at Epilepsy differently, and decided to educate myself more. I became less scared and started to want to embrace the condition and show others that life can still be liveable, even with seizures. Yes life is harder, almost like an obstacle course, but we can still make it through. I see myself as fearless.
Every November, Every Purple day I show awareness, advocate for Epilepsy and I always will because someone has to. I let it hold me back for so long, but not anymore. I have gone bungee jumping, ziplining, rock climbing and I plan to do so much more.
We are warriors and I will never ever stop reminding epileptics around the world that we are unstoppable.
I recently decided to educate my workplace & told over 200 people I had Epilepsy and I think it's the bravest thing I have ever done, but more people need to know about this medical condition, because it's important. WE are important.
I am now 27 and still live with seizures to this day, but I will not let them stop me, I will forever keep on walking forward, because it's the right path to take. Epilepsy has made me the person I am today, maybe not the person I thought I would be when I was 6 years old. However I know I am spreading awareness for others, helping others, reassuring others they are not alone, and that's okay with me. Sending love to all my fellow warriors out there, we are all amazing, keep on fighting.
The courage of those living with epilepsy,
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