As I’ve begun to spread the word about this blog, so many of the people I meet and speak to, particularly online, are Moms and Dads of kids with Epilepsy.

“How did you do it,” they have asked? “How did you keep your job and still live with your seizures?

Truth be told (and I’m always one to tell the truth) I lost my job on November 30. It was ‘Corporate Downsizing’, or at least that’s what the paperwork terms it. But, I will admit that I was not typical. I was allowed to work from home, or ‘telecommute’ because I can’t drive and I usually suffered about a dozen or so seizures each week. But I worked hard, and I pushed myself…sometimes harder than anyone knew.

Now, you must realize that I never would have been able to get this sort of arrangement had I not ASKED for it. I was always very up front and honest with my employers about my Epilepsy and I went above and beyond when it came to absences for treatments and surgeries. My husband tells the story of my last set of brain surgeries at Harper Hospital in Detroit…I was fresh out of the O.R., they were checking the wires going into my brain (I had electrodes and strips monitoring my seizures, I was wrapped tight and quite groggy on meds as you can imagine) and all I wanted to do was log on and return my emails from my bosses, and no one could stop me!

My daughter Hayden (4 years)...my best cheerleader!

As someone with an illness or a disability, you must put forth a truly stellar effort, because you can’t wallow in self-pity, or it becomes obvious that you are an issue. Moms and Dads of youngsters who are growing up with Epilepsy…I think we must teach children to focus on their strengths, not on the weaknesses that sometimes they are handed with their illness. Yes, you can have a future if you have Epilepsy. It’s done often, and it’s done well. But, it’s done with great effort. Make sure you have a good team…your doctor(s), your family who understands and supports you, and those few friends who ‘get it’!

Success can happen, trust me!