Lately, I’ve been doing a lot of reflecting on my life, especially my early years as a kid and into my teenage years. It wasn’t an easy road; I had to overcome many struggles to get to where I am today. I want to share my story through a daily log, starting with how my journey with epilepsy began.

The Early Years: Shyness and Isolation

In primary school, I was an incredibly shy kid—painfully shy, to be honest. I wouldn’t speak up, which made me very different from my outgoing and fearless brother. While he seemed to take life in stride, I often felt like a dreamer, lost in my own world. I remember staring out the window, imagining other places and scenarios, possibly hinting at the early signs of my condition.

The Diagnosis: A Turning Point

I wasn’t diagnosed with epilepsy until I was 11, right when I started secondary school. The diagnosis was a pivotal moment in my life, one that brought many changes and challenges. Suddenly, my daydreams and moments of staring off into space made sense—they were likely absent seizures, something I hadn’t understood before. The diagnosis explained a lot but also brought with it a new set of limitations and restrictions.

The Impact of Epilepsy on My Teenage Years

Epilepsy changed my life in many ways. As a teenager, there were so many things I couldn’t do, activities that other kids took for granted. The fear of having a seizure in public or during important moments was always looming over me. This constant worry added to my shyness and made me feel even more isolated.

The Beginning of a Long Journey

Looking back, those early years were just the beginning of my journey with epilepsy. They were filled with moments of confusion, frustration, and a deep sense of being different from my peers. But they also marked the start of a long road toward understanding my condition, learning how to manage it, and finding my own path to a fulfilling life.

Moving Forward

Tomorrow, I will explore more about how I navigated my teenage years with epilepsy, the strategies I developed to cope, and the support systems that helped me along the way. It’s a journey that has taught me resilience, patience, and the importance of self-advocacy.

Thank you for joining me on this journey. I hope my story can provide insight and encouragement to others who might be facing similar challenges.