Epilepsy & Seizures Support Group
Epilepsy (often referred to as a seizure disorder) is a chronic neurological condition characterized by recurrent unprovoked seizures. It is commonly controlled with medication, although surgical methods are used as well. Seizures (or convulsions) are temporary abnormal electrophysiologic phenomena of the brain, resulting in abnormal synchronization of electrical neuronal...
My life got ruined by Epilepsy in my early years when I got taken to court for taking my girlfriend for a ride on my bike. I was being tried for "Fear of Serious Personal Injury".
Fact: I have Epilepsy and so does she, and it scared her Parents.
Since nobody was physically hurt, there were no charges and we'd hoped it would be dismissed, and we could stay friends.
But I had to accept that either of us Could have had a Seizure and lost control,
and She Could have been seriously hurt. If not her, then someone in the future.
For the safety of others, it was recommended that people with disabilities be put in a Home for the Handicapped and the Judge agreed. So while my classmates got on with their lives, I got put away in an institution.
In 1986 I had Brain Surgery done which stopped the seizures, but I was not released as nobody knew what to expect.
10 years later, the seizures returned and in 2003 I had Brain Surgery again. This time I was released, but under certain restrictions due to the legal system, for the safety of others.
1) I'm not allowed to obtain a job as that would put the lives others at risk.
2) I'm not allowed to get into a relationship or marriage as that would put the lives of others at risk.
3) I'm not allowed to have or adopt children, as that would put the lives of others at risk.
4) I'm not allowed to operate a motor vehicle as that would put the lives of others at risk.
To the Legal System, the Safety towards Thousands of others is More important than the pleasures of just one. I'm allowed to be out on my own, but I'm not allowed to get involved with anyone other than just friends.
To me, it's like saying I can live on my own, as long as I leave everyone alone.
It really bugs me to read about women with epilepsy who are married and have kids.
That woman I was dating... she didn't get put away in a Care Home. Only I did. She's now married and has kids, so why can't I? Cuz I'm not allowed.
Fact: I have Epilepsy and so does she, and it scared her Parents.
Since nobody was physically hurt, there were no charges and we'd hoped it would be dismissed, and we could stay friends.
But I had to accept that either of us Could have had a Seizure and lost control,
and She Could have been seriously hurt. If not her, then someone in the future.
For the safety of others, it was recommended that people with disabilities be put in a Home for the Handicapped and the Judge agreed. So while my classmates got on with their lives, I got put away in an institution.
In 1986 I had Brain Surgery done which stopped the seizures, but I was not released as nobody knew what to expect.
10 years later, the seizures returned and in 2003 I had Brain Surgery again. This time I was released, but under certain restrictions due to the legal system, for the safety of others.
1) I'm not allowed to obtain a job as that would put the lives others at risk.
2) I'm not allowed to get into a relationship or marriage as that would put the lives of others at risk.
3) I'm not allowed to have or adopt children, as that would put the lives of others at risk.
4) I'm not allowed to operate a motor vehicle as that would put the lives of others at risk.
To the Legal System, the Safety towards Thousands of others is More important than the pleasures of just one. I'm allowed to be out on my own, but I'm not allowed to get involved with anyone other than just friends.
To me, it's like saying I can live on my own, as long as I leave everyone alone.
It really bugs me to read about women with epilepsy who are married and have kids.
That woman I was dating... she didn't get put away in a Care Home. Only I did. She's now married and has kids, so why can't I? Cuz I'm not allowed.
And it was never a issue as to the small detail of being an epileptic.What happen really wasnt right.
I have a healthy 9 yr.old without any insidences.
You do hve to change alot of meds. while pregnant,but as the guy in this situation ,someone is jumping the gun,sorry about this.
I want to clarify my previous comment (espec to #3).
Over the years, we have gone through many advances in the treatment and education of seizure disorders, but that wasn't always the case. If you have a look at the gentleman's age,MY age as when I began to seize, and the time frame in which he describes his past history, public stigma wasn't as 'receptive' as it is now for the most part.
I recall being at the MD's office in the 80's while my mom was being told things such as "she should be hospitalized" "she should not be working because it will put others in jeopardy" "employers will not be very willing to hire her as their insurance premiums will rise" and my all timefavorite: "Reconsider having children; The medication can/may cause fetal damage and/or possible retardation". Public prejudice was on the rise then, and because of the limited medications the mentality was supported. I recall EVEN MY OWN DAD having a problem with it. We lived in "a bubble" of MD appts. were EEG was "the" thing, surgery being "The ultimate and selective breakthrough in Science". I hope this helps.
I know what you mean! I got put away in a Care Home merely because the system figured that's what's best for me. Emotionally it really hurt!!! My family and friends get on with their lives while I just got put away with people in wheelchairs, blind people, etc.
Like you, it took a long time before they let me leave. I was 41 when I had my second Brain Surgery, and a year later, they let me out. I'm 45 now and trying to fit in with society, but with no job, no car, no university education. It's really hard on the self-esteem!
Matthew
Just like when I took Driving lessons and did the Road Test, and they said I got the best score out of everyone in my family, but then it got cancelled.
As for not having kids, that got put upon me back in the 70's in my teens when I got taken into the hospital for some kind of operation that I was told I needed. I had a Major Vasectomy - the tube that connects my balls to my penis was completely taken out.
As for marriage or even just a girlfriend, if it was okay, then I wouldn't have been taken to court! we were really close, but her caregivers used the legal system to ban me from seeing her. And to prevent any further incidents, the court banned me from anything more than just friends.
wonder he didnt put you on a small island by yourself hope that everything will work out for you 1 day. I am just wondering if you could get those restrictions tacken off from you if you went and seen a solicitor and go back to court ???
As for the Marriage thing, the rules have changed slightly. I'm allowed to marry a woman who doesn't have a disability, just as the girl I was with married an guy who doesn't have a disability. But you can't have two people with disabilities getting married. People like to use the phrase "Two Wrongs don't make a Right".
I've been back to the Care Home where I was, just to visit old friends, and heard similar stories of couples falling in love and wanting to get married but they're not allowed. Very much like the fight for Gay Marriages.
Anyway, in 5 years time, I can take it to court and use the FACT that I've been seizure free for 5 years to try and get rid of the restrictions.