Living and Thriving with Epilepsy

Living with epilepsy isn’t always easy. The physical, mental, and emotional effects of both seizures and medications can take a daily toll on the person living with epilepsy, creating challenges that may not be visible to others. The lack of understanding around epilepsy within the general public adds yet another degree of difficulty for people living with epilepsy. Yet, a life lived with epilepsy can provide great rewards including defying the expectations of others, creating a rich and fulfilling life, and inspiring others with epilepsy to pursue their own goals and dreams.

On this week’s Seizing Life, epilepsy patient, counselor, and author Jon Sadler discusses his 50-year journey living with epilepsy. Jon’s experiences reflect many of the challenges and concerns of people with epilepsy including stigma, employment, family, dealing with changing treatments and side-effects, and undergoing life-changing brain surgery. Jon reflects on how his personal experiences have shaped his perspective on epilepsy and how this inspired him to become a counselor for fellow patients and caregivers. Jon’s story is a microcosm of what has been accomplished within the epilepsy community during the past 50 years, as well as a directive highlighting the work that still needs to be done.

[stephaniejones]

Thank you for sharing your story. I understand what it’s like to have epilepsy. It is extremely difficult for the person and their families. I pray that this story reaches many and changes their lives for the better. May God bless you!❤️

[shanellerandall]

Thank you for sharing. Epilepsy can be a very difficult disease, but only you can let the world slow you down. I've had seizures since I was 20, very frequent, tonic clonic seizures. I'm still an RN, a mother and I still managed to thru-hike the AT. Focus on the positive and let Jesus pull you through it.

[BillyD]

God Bless you all who are struggling. We will get through this. Never lose hope and love.

[common]

My life is badly affected n jobless due to seizures but I don't give up. Still struggling with mood n sadness issues sometimes... Tq to this podcast for all informations n support.

[wishIKnewHowToLove]

the problem is that there are so many different forms of epilepsy. Most people imagine this crazy jerking and spasming. I think awareness should be brought to exactly THAT -- diversity of symptoms.

[lastcallministry]

Thank you for sharing. May God heal you and all those with similar conditions 🙏

[fulleffect]

I take Keppra XR for epilepsy i’m 36. I’ve had grandmal seizures since I was about 18 they started out as aura’s, and I was too afraid to get checked out little did I know I was making matters worse and the auras turned into grandmal seizures been having them ever since as someone with epilepsy This truly was a blessing to watch and listen to and I appreciate this podcast and pray and hope that with anyone that has epilepsy or seizures will be healed and cured of both

[natb]

Thank you so much for sharing your journey.

[robertdeffenbaugh]

I was diagnosed with Epilepsy when I was 2 and got into surgery when I was 8.

[macnloveu]

Woow i have epilipsy too i been taking dilantin 100 mg 3 times a day and 1 other med sense i was 15 years old now i 36 ..that liver damage 😢 he said got to me hope i dont end up like that

[iananttila]

Interesting story, as a historical case; where I have had 2 neurosurgeries. Prior to the first I was averaging 20-30 grand Mal and 200-300 complex partials a week. I was the worst case for the historical dr Frederick Andermann as I admitted emergency status. I wrote a book to assist people psychologically. If I could help people I would like to as I live my life seizing 6-10 grand Mals a month now.

[shirleehughes]

Wow so beautiful and amazing that you have been working with it

[Bookclubber]

I have late onset epilepsy (age 29) Took me 7 years to heal from a right frontal lobectomy from surgery. It was a horrendous recovery. It actually made the amount of seizures increase and my ability to live life was decreased significantly. They say they missed the focal area and want to do surgery again. That terrifies me.

[Sisi-fkdn]

Hello, I have had epilepsy for over 10 years, and I have no one to share it with and answer my questions, do any of you know or participate in or can recommend me any online communities or groups?

[rjvowels]

I'm severely epileptic too, I have grand mal seizures from time to time. It's definitely a rough life...

[demelew-jwcj]

Hi thanks I see this program pls contact me and let me know what you help us