Life has a way of throwing challenges at us, sometimes before we’re even old enough to understand them. For me, that challenge was epilepsy. I was diagnosed at just 11 years old. At that age, I didn’t fully grasp what it meant—I only knew that suddenly, my life came with a long list of rules.

Doctors told me what I couldn’t do. No swimming alone. No climbing too high. No flashing lights. No late nights. It felt like a constant stream of restrictions, and as a child, all I wanted was to be like everyone else. My mum, bless her, tried her best to help me navigate it all, but I shut down. I wasn’t ready to accept it.

For years, I lived in denial. I ignored the warnings, the advice, and sometimes even the signs my body was giving me. It wasn’t until my twenties that I truly faced my condition head-on. There was one moment, one life-changing experience, that forced me to finally accept epilepsy as part of who I am.

I had a massive seizure in a nightclub. It was terrifying, messy, and overwhelming. Looking back, I made mistakes that night—mistakes that put my health at risk. But that moment was also the turning point. It made me realize that I couldn’t keep pretending epilepsy wasn’t a part of my life. I had to start making better choices, not just for my own safety but for my overall well-being.

Acceptance didn’t happen overnight. Even now, there are moments of frustration, days where I wish things were different. But I’ve learned that epilepsy doesn’t define me. It’s a part of my life, but it doesn’t rule it. I take control as much as I can, managing my health, listening to my body, and making choices that support my well-being.

This journey has shaped me in ways I never expected. It has made me stronger, more aware, and more in tune with myself. Most importantly, it has taught me that acceptance isn’t about giving up—it’s about taking back control. And that’s exactly what I’ve done

Daily writing prompt

What experiences in life helped you grow the most?

View all responses