When it Comes to Epilepsy, Who Is in Charge? by Lowell G. Evans

During a person’s life, they will face many changes. But when those changes come, you must decide, “Who is going to be in charge.” There is no doubt that change will take place, but will you make the adjustments so that you are still in charge?

I remember when I was first diagnosed with epilepsy in 1980. It was a change for me because now I was not just Lowell Evans, I was the Epileptic Guy named Lowell G. Evans. It was a change for me, and a change that I did not like. My name was always Lowell, but now it had changed into that “Epileptic Guy” named Lowell Evans. This was something I was not willing to accept, so I had to take charge. It was not their life, it was my life.

When storms come you must adjust things around your house to keep yourself safe and secure. This may mean closing the windows, finding candles or flashlights in case you lose power. You still want to be able to do the things that you normally do. In other words, you still want to oversee things. Nobody wants to feel like they are losing control and are helpless. In some situations, you may have to even leave to still be able to be you.

When I was diagnosed with epilepsy, people began to think of me being sick all the time. I looked just fine, but they put epilepsy “In Charge of me” instead of me being “In Charge of my Epilepsy.” I always heard the questions, “How are you feeling today?” When is the last time you had an episode?” I could be looking great, but people ignored that and still talked about my condition.

I understood quickly that they did not have epilepsy and they were not my doctor. When these intriguing questions were asked, I said to myself, “This is my life and I oversee it. I quickly reversed the questions and asked with a smile, “So how are you doing today”? I started to listen to inspirational music and watch tv shows that made me laugh or just enjoy myself. I was once again IN CHARGE of my life. 

Whatever you are dealing with in your life, it is you who must deal with it. I was not having seizures very often, but people reminded me of them frequently and that was depressing. I had to be alone sometimes, but that was better than having a conversation about them wondering if I was feeling good. I made the choice of not going to certain places or doing certain things because in doing so, the subject of epilepsy would always come up.

Remember, this is your life and YOU are in Charge!