Epilepsy Awareness Month

November is Epilepsy Awareness month. This is a cause very near and dear to my heart. Not because I myself have Epilepsy, because I have been tested and shown not to have Epilepsy. I have, however, had seizures, but they are related to body's low resistance and when I am crashing, I am likely to have a seizure. With that being said, that's not what we're here about.

Epilepsy can range from mild to severe, but to a person living with it, their condition affects their lives. There are people living with Epilepsy that we do not know about, because many people are able to keep their seizures away using Anti-Convulsants or as they are also know Anti-Epileptic Drugs.

There are many different types of seizures. The type most people think of when they hear the word "seizure" are Generalized Tonic-Clonic Seizures (GTC's), formerly known as Grand Mal Seizures. There are also seizures that cause people to simply "space out" for a few moments, these are most typically called Absence seizures. But there are several other types out there. GTC's have the potential to be life threatening, but all seizures have that potential as well.

I have posted before about my precious friend Aleia. She began to have seizures when she was just three months old, and continued to have seizures for the majority of her life. I greatly enjoyed spending time with her, she was a very special child who brought a lot of joy to many people. Just before she passed away, she was down to about one seizure a month. However, on November 14, 2010, Aleia passed away at the young age of 11.

I've posted about how her death affected me, that's not what this is about. It has been determined that Aleia was likely a victim of SUDEP, Sudden Unexplained Death in Epilepsy. There isn't a lot that is known about SUDEP, but I believe it is important to raise awareness of Epilepsy so that people are aware of how serious Epilepsy and Seizures really are. It's not a joking matter.

Not to mention how many people still are under the impression that people having a seizure should have something put into their mouth. I do believe more people are being educated about this, but let me just say, if you do witness someone seizing DO NOT put anything in their mouth! Furthermore, if someone is having a seizure in public, please do not stare or gawk. If you can not help them, walk away. The last thing anyone with Epilepsy or anyone having a seizure needs is to have someone staring at them.

Just remember, there are more people living with Epilepsy than we know. Don't judge someone unless you've walked in their shoes. And, remember, the more awareness that can be raised about Epilepsy and seizure first aid, the better equipped we are to handle these issues. Maybe by posting this, I can keep a person with Epilepsy from feeling like a complete outcast.

This post is for Aleia, and especially for the special people in my life who have suffered from Epilepsy.

In Loving Memory of Aleia Kathleen

December 7, 1998 to November 14, 2010