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Poetry About Epilepsy
Thu, 10/30/2014 - 13:01Dear friends, I recently came across some poems from a friend of the Foundation that I would like to share. The poet's name is Alyssa D'Amico. Here is an introduction from her, followed by her poems:
"When I was 6 years old I caught a virus that was going around the class. It lasted for seven days with very high fevers. Unfortunately, when the fever broke, I had the first seizure. That is a day I still remember. The first hospital tried to do a spinal tap several times and nobody knew what was going on.
"I am now 26 years old and have dealt with seizures for 20 years. The doctors have tried many different medications and combinations. None have worked 100% and many have devastating side effects, which may interfere with quality of life as much, if not more then the seizures themselves.
"I had the first surgery in 3rd grade and two in 8th grade. The last, which I was awake for, helped most, but again not 100%. A vagus nerve stimulator was put in 2012.This helped greatly. Most times I can stop a seizure from happening or generalizing. Again, this is not 100% So, I am still hoping.
"I went on to complete a Bachelors in Psychology and continue to write poetry. I am interested in helping others like myself. I hope my poetry can do this by letting them know they are not alone and can continue with their life and dreams. It is also important to bring more awareness to people who do not have epilepsy and are not familiar with it. Unlike other conditions, epilepsy still has a stigma attached to it. If people had more knowledge about it, they would understand more. What I want to say is never give up; stay brave and strong, because there is a cure waiting for all of us. Stay happy and move on with your life. Sometimes that can be difficult but put effort toward it and carry on.
"All the poems written below were written at different points of time in my life. I hope you enjoy them. Have a great day."
Epilepsy is a part of me
You can take it or leave it
Because it may not go away
As a matter of fact,
It may be here to stay
Am I ok? Yes I am!
You tell me how my chemistry is
What was that?
I’m jerking around
Dropping down ain’t the best of sounds
Stay strong
There is nothing wrong
Epilepsy is a part of me
Which makes me unique
In a different way
Keep my head up
And never give up
Cause winners never quit
Quitters never win
And I chose to be a winner
Never forget everyday and every way
We get better and better
ACCEPTANCE
What is there really different to see?
About anyone, including me
We are all just the same
Some who have epilepsy are or were in fame
All people are unique in their own way
And there is nothing more to say
SEIZURE TIME
A seizure
Doesn’t please ya
Like a body teaser
Fall to the ground
With no sound
Shaking round and round
People looking down
Thinking what they see
Just let that person be
Don’t get too close
This ain’t no joke
As a matter of fact it’s no good
Call 911 like you should
Stop having your fun
Try and help!
Or else that person can just melt
And
Have no more life or health
HARD to ESCAPE
It is hard to escape
When feeling in outer space
How will life be?
What is wrong with me?
I am blinded and cannot see
Fear can sometimes be near
At this point, it is all up to you for what to do
Medication can be noticed
Side effects can show
How many fingers do I see?
You put up one, but I see three
Fuzzy vision
Viewing double
Another delusion
Making up stories
Seizures out of control
Not having a say
Make that headache go away!
Suffering everyday
But don’t give up today
A cure is waiting to be found
Doctors searching all around
To figure out what to do
Hospitals can make you feel alone
When in real life
Others are there that do care
Everyone waiting for epilepsy to go and stay away
When feeling in out of space
It is hard to escape
POSTICTAL
“Was I mean?”
“Do I know everything that is seen?”
“What happened again?”
“I don’t remember that.”
“You must be kidding?”
Feeling nervous, hyper and barely aware
Now I’m scared!
Moving my head in all different directions
Not sure of what I see or say
“Did I… Did I have…”
“Where did you say?”
“That’s where you want me to go?”
“Nooo…”
“Leave me alone!”
“I don’t care!”
“It was just a stare.”
“No ordeal, lets gets real.”
“Wait, was I mean?”
“Did I go against the team?”
“Am I a normal human being?”
“I don’t know where to be?”
“Not sure, I see…”
“Just bring me home and not leave me alone, waiting for a room.”
Here comes another week of doom
UP and DOWN
Did the levels go up?
Or head down?
Is it causing depression?
Making the person go through confusion
Not fully aware of what is going on
Feeling like all that is done is wrong
Randomly falling asleep
Turing dreams into life
Hearing fake voices speak
Suicide and self-abuse
Will that hurt?
Wondering why certain things had to happen
Could life change and get better or is that unreal?
Hallucinations standing there
Getting unsure about the real world
Forgetting what was about to be said
Spelling left the persons head
How did that happen?
Aggression building up
Now it is time to fight!
Ready to get physical?
Tongue twisted
Staring off
Feeling bare
Colors showing up in the air
And like nothing is fair
Or levels going down
Making a seizure happen everyday
The person feels that there is no more to say
Being in and out of the hospital
Admitting knows the person
The name rolls off their tongue
Not knowing what to do
Raise this, lower that, put another on, take that off
How about a diet?
Is it time for surgery?
Life, what is there to do?
Getting interference while at work
Seeing fuzzy
Gaining weight
Losing weight
Not thinking straight
Wishes wanted
Will they eventually come true?
There is help for the person
Having seizure after seizure
Something needs to be figured out
It is time to check the levels
Did they go up?
Or head down?
ALONE
Drop to the ground
With no sound
Surrounded by darkness
And
Not a person around
To help with these twitches and turns
Times running fast
You never know how long a seizure could last
Hours are too long
Someone come before life is gone
Sent to the emergency room
With people all around
Barley able to understand a word or a sound
Going into a deep sleep
And
Woken up alone in bed
Wondering what happened
Until noticing the hair became ultra-long
And
Is all different colors: red, blue, green and yellow
These wires run tests
To help find which treatment is the best
How long will it take?
No one knows
An EEG can last hours, days or weeks
But try and remember to have no fright
And that everything will be alright
Believe in yourself
Don’t lose faith
Something will be found one day
Then everything will be okay
CONTROL LOST
Neurons overactive
Moving in all different directions
Seizures after seizure
Memory lost
Waking up either in a hospital or on the floor
Barely able to walk out the door
Someone needs to be with you
No matter where you go
Whether it’s a friend or family
Medication increasing
Causing you to get down in the dumps
Side effects increasing
Not helping a bit
Just sit there and wait
For things to get straight
I guess we have things in
Submitted by cometgirl18@aol.com on Thu, 2014-10-30 - 21:18
I guess we have things in common. Happy that you like it :) How have you been?