Yesterday I attended the Epilepsy and Wellness Conference put together by the Epilepsy Foundation of Michigan. It was the first time I was in a room with other people with Epilepsy where I walked into a room to advocate for myself. (I am a social worker who has spent her life working with persons with disabilities so while I have advocated for others including those with epilepsy I have never do so for myself especially though I have had epilepsy for likely my whole life I have only recently been diagnosed) I felt selfish though I knew I would help others but at the same time I felt ALIVE and for the first time in so long I could FEEL again.
My entire life, the puzzle pieces started snapping into place. Does this mean that life is suddenly going to get easier? Hardly. This however, strengthens my resolve to take all those skills I used to advocate for others and this time I am going to fight not only for me but for all of us with Epilepsy. So you may be hearing from me as I start building my 'bridge' and I hope we can all work together to change the future.
One day soon, I will tell you my story and I hope you will understand my drive, that I do this not just for me but for all of us.
