A journey with Epilepsy

Hi my name is Rosey *smiles* I'm ten and I wanna tell you about my epilepsy. My momma told me sometimes in my sleep I "shake" she said its normal, I gave her a confused smile and went outside to play with my friends. I asked my friends if the shake sometimes too, they looked at me confused and said no. I went to my momma and asked why I shake but no one else does. She gave me a sensitive smile and said "because sweetie you have something special called epilepsy". "What's epilepsy?" I asked. She wasn't sure how to explain it, she went on "sweetie its like a cord in your brain isn't fully plugged in and sometimes if you get to sleepy, hungry maybe even mad or a light flashes fast in your eyes it can make you fall and have a seizure, but even tho you have this it doesn't make you different it makes you stronger" then she smiled and kissed my forehead. Some days I feel weak or can't think straight or even have really bad bad headaches and can't even think at all and won't know what's going on around me. I asked my momma if this all came with epilepsy she said yes . I looked at her with sad eyes , she gave me a big hug " but that's why you're strong" she said with a big smile. She sent me outside to play with my friends. Then I woke up on the ground with a doctor above me, my friends looked scared. I felt weak and tired. Momma told me I had a seizure, I looked back at my friends and started to cry. I didn't understand why they were scared of me. "Mommy, am I weird and scary?"i said with tears rolling down my face. She then held me tight and said "people are scared of things they don't understand but you're perfect and strong, those who love you are scared for you not of you and smile when you smile because you're strong" she then wiped my tears and held me tight then I smiled and so did she because I'm not weak I'm strong. Epilepsy maybe a disability but those who have it like me aren't weak because we fight it.

6 years later

Hi its Rosey again six years ago I told you a story about how I learned about my epilepsy. since then my seizures have slowed down they now just seem like a normal part of my life. I met my best friend Emily in middle school. we met in sixth grade I had a seizure in the middle of class and she was the only one who knew what to do. later I found out that her little brother has epilepsy too. I feel like a second big sister to him because I know what he's going through and can help him through it. Three months pass and its summer vacation. "Rosey!" Emily shouts from across the street " hi rosey my family and I are going on vacation for summer break, do you wanna come with?" with a concerned tone rosey replies " hmm I don't know Emily I don't think I have enough medicine" . " oh come on rosey please it wont be any fun without you. and besides I'm sure you'll be fine my brother has gone without his medicine for a few days and was fine. we're only going for a few days." "ok Emily I'll ask my mom and let you know tomorrow." the next day rosey tells Emily her mom said she can go on the vacation with them. with lots of joy emily gives rosey a tight hug, the next few days they get ready to go, "well we're leaving mom i love you" rosey shouts to her mom. " you have your medicine right?" "yes mom ive got it packed away safe" her mom gives her a tight hug "love you rosey be safe" " i love you too mom." A few days go by emily and i are at the beach i noticed yesterday i was low on medicine but it didnt concern me i was having to much fun and felt fine. "Rosey come on lets swim " i smile and jump in the water with emily everything was great and then.... "rosey! ROSEY!!" the next day i awoke in the hospital back home my mom crying and emily asleep in the chair. "Rosey!" my mom shouts as she gives me a big hug emily then wakes up and does the same. the doctor walks in the room " youre awake" i look over to the doctor. "what happened?" "you had a horrible seizure if it had lasted a minute longer you could have died. its a good thing emily was there to pull you out of the water." my mom and emily hug me tight as they cry. i wipe their tears away and smile " im sorry mom and emily , i thought i'd be ok but i was wrong but im ok now. so be happy cause its over and im safe i'll be more carefull" they then smile for me beacause im strong.

Hi this is Raylene, now no this story isn't true but epilepsy is very real and effects a lot of people including myself I've had epilepsy for twenty years it started when I was three some people get lucky and the seizures stop for good like they did for my dad. but so far I haven't gotten their now they may never stop or they will. a lot of people don't know that epilepsy is different for everyone who has it. it effects us in different ways some people don't even have seizures because epilepsy is more then that. it comes with migraines, depression, anxiety, confusion , dizziness and more. But that's why we are strong because we don't let it stop us from doing what we love. like Cameron Boyce may he rest in peace, he didn't let the epilepsy stand in his way he lived his dream and got to work with Adam Sandler and play on popular Disney channel shows. He was strong and so is everyone else who doesn't let it stand in their way. we are WARRIORS