Hi everyone!
My name is Naureen and almost 8 years ago, I met the love of my life when I was in college. 2 years ago, he put a ring on it!
I knew my husband suffered from epilepsy since we met. Being in college for the first time, it brought him a lot of shame and embarrassment when people witnessed his attacks. It took me a long time to nurture his self worth and letting him know that his friends are concerned about his health and they are not judging. Today, he is a wonderful confident man.
Although his seizures have always been active since we met, our day-to-day struggles with epilepsy really began in 2008, the year we both graduated and began to work. Still today, I am astounded by the lack to knowledge and understanding about epilepsy in the workplace. He began a job in sales. Sadly, he had to miss a few days due to a seizure that left him quite injured and unable to walk. Putting it lightly, his managers were not pleased and he was left to feel guilty about his situation. On one bizarre occasion, his manager wanted to "come over to make sure he actually had a seizure and not missing work on purpose." I was furious and used some choice words I should probably regret. My husband, being a gentle soul, did not want me to report the company despite my insistence (perhaps fear of getting fired, treated badly at work, etc). He endured it for years, but then again, his seizures were better controlled during that time. On another troubling occasion, he had another generalized seizure right before going to work and thus, had to miss most of the day. His manager responded by saying, "Had we known you had this many issues, well..." We all know how that sentence ends.
Despite it all, he is still a wonderful, caring, loving and giving man regardless of the ignorance of a few. Last year, he left this vile place and began employment elsewhere. He disclosed he was epileptic and I provided some basic material on what to do if he has seizures at work. They embraced him and let him know they were there to help him in any way they could. If they see he feels pressured or tense (the world of sales sometimes!), his managers now sit with him and calm him so that he does not have an attack (this actually happened last month, manager observed he was tense - did not think too much of it - and he began to have attacks). With this warm atmosphere, my husband is one of their top salesman, ranking third on their team.
The last few months, his seizures have been horrible - almost every week. Today, we started with a new neuro who is recommending putting him on Vimpat along with the Tegretol he takes. Another new adventure! I hate the switching meds came - thus how I came upon this forum. I already feel the warmth here and know its going to a be a great sense of support from all that I have read so far. Thanks community for listening to my story!
My name is Naureen and almost 8 years ago, I met the love of my life when I was in college. 2 years ago, he put a ring on it!
I knew my husband suffered from epilepsy since we met. Being in college for the first time, it brought him a lot of shame and embarrassment when people witnessed his attacks. It took me a long time to nurture his self worth and letting him know that his friends are concerned about his health and they are not judging. Today, he is a wonderful confident man.
Although his seizures have always been active since we met, our day-to-day struggles with epilepsy really began in 2008, the year we both graduated and began to work. Still today, I am astounded by the lack to knowledge and understanding about epilepsy in the workplace. He began a job in sales. Sadly, he had to miss a few days due to a seizure that left him quite injured and unable to walk. Putting it lightly, his managers were not pleased and he was left to feel guilty about his situation. On one bizarre occasion, his manager wanted to "come over to make sure he actually had a seizure and not missing work on purpose." I was furious and used some choice words I should probably regret. My husband, being a gentle soul, did not want me to report the company despite my insistence (perhaps fear of getting fired, treated badly at work, etc). He endured it for years, but then again, his seizures were better controlled during that time. On another troubling occasion, he had another generalized seizure right before going to work and thus, had to miss most of the day. His manager responded by saying, "Had we known you had this many issues, well..." We all know how that sentence ends.
Despite it all, he is still a wonderful, caring, loving and giving man regardless of the ignorance of a few. Last year, he left this vile place and began employment elsewhere. He disclosed he was epileptic and I provided some basic material on what to do if he has seizures at work. They embraced him and let him know they were there to help him in any way they could. If they see he feels pressured or tense (the world of sales sometimes!), his managers now sit with him and calm him so that he does not have an attack (this actually happened last month, manager observed he was tense - did not think too much of it - and he began to have attacks). With this warm atmosphere, my husband is one of their top salesman, ranking third on their team.
The last few months, his seizures have been horrible - almost every week. Today, we started with a new neuro who is recommending putting him on Vimpat along with the Tegretol he takes. Another new adventure! I hate the switching meds came - thus how I came upon this forum. I already feel the warmth here and know its going to a be a great sense of support from all that I have read so far. Thanks community for listening to my story!
