Why isn't epilepsy talked about more?

Question

There's a lot of attention given to cancer, diabetes, AIDS, among others, but I haven't heard much on epilepsy. I've only seen a couple of programs that even mentioned the word. I have epilepsy, and I wonder if sometimes the entertainment industry has forgotten or doesn't know how to deal with the subject. What's going on?

Answer 1

I know what you mean,I've had epilepsy all my life.I live in a small town and I have only met one other person with epilepsy.The world foregets it's history when it can't make money off it.Good men in history such as J.Caesar and Will Shakespeare both had epilepsy and the world listened to them.We need to make the world listen to us.Stand up and be heard.The more pep know the more they are willing to learn.The more they learn,the more we earn in respect and undrstanding.

Answer 2

I strongly agree with you. I have had epilepsy since I was 6, I am 33 now. I didn't learn of a epilepsy foundation until I was 18. And when i do see something on TV about it, it is a rare and severe case of epilepsy. It is not a realistic look at what epilepsy is all about. The causes, the cures, the research, nothing. And that makes me really sad.
The same goes for Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis. My daughter that is 4 was diagnosed with this at 2.
The public is not as informed as it should be.

Answer 3

Your question is a very good one,I had petite mal epilepsy,they discovered when I was about two,and learning how to drink from a glass,my mother told me all of a sudden i would just be staring out to never nerver land.
In those days they knew almost nothing of epilepsy,I still remember the smell of a certain alcohol they used to use to get all those leads off my head,then they used to clue them to your head.
The doctors asked my parents if they could study me,because sometimes the machines said I was having seizures yet I showed no outside signs.
so for years I went to be clued every three months,then finally every six.
The only thing I remember about the medication they gave me was it was red and in a bottle,I don't remember having any problems until I was older and had thrown my medine out years before,my friends said after a few beers with them that i would fall to the ground my arms and legs would do all these strange things,(THEY DIDN"T KNOW WHAT TO DO) and that is how it is today even though they have better medications,and you don't get a clued head anymore,people NOT KNOWING what to do for someone who is having a seizure should be much more publisized.
I had a stroke in 1998,and there are very simple checks people can do for someone they suspect is having a stroke,ask them to raise their arms over their heads and smile ,but you can ask almost anyone and they won;t know,so I'm afraid these subjects are on a back burner,I appreciate you bringing it out,and hope you
are doing ok with your illness,if you ever feel like talking my e-mail address shows. good luck