Forty-four-year-old Robert was diagnosed with epilepsy in 2006. Since his diagnosis, he has learned to take his life day by day – identifying and listening to his body’s warning signs.
Robert believes that epilepsy has changed his life for the better as he’s learned to become more aware of his surroundings. For example, when Robert used to travel before having epilepsy, he always did it alone. Following his diagnosis, Robert now prefers to travel with others just in case something happens or he experiences a seizure. According to Robert, it was “sort of a blessing in disguise.” This is because it taught him that it’s okay to be around people and do things with others. He realized he didn’t always have to be alone.
Prior to epilepsy, Robert was someone who was always on the go. Now, he is learning to slow down and listen to his body when it shows signs of exhaustion. At the time of his diagnosis, Robert was very exhausted and while others would see this as “normal”, he took it as a sign that it was time to stop and step away from the task he was on. He overcame the challenge of exhaustion by slowing down and stepping away even when he didn’t want to. At first, this was difficult for Robert but as time went on and he recognized what his body needed it eventually became second nature for him.
Robert shared that he often felt alone and didn’t have family to turn to early in his diagnosis.
Luckily, he had a classmate from high school who he was able to lean on because he was
familiar with epilepsy and able to help Robert through this life-changing event. He’s even made
strides to improve his quality of living, doing things like going for a walk after he gets out of work
to maintain energy and decompress. Robert has found that being active helps alleviate his
exhaustion, keeping him more alert.
