Seizures Have Not Stopped Me

I started having myoclonic seizures around 14 years old. I didn't know what they were at the time, and I figured they would go away on their own if I ignored them. In early 2015, I had a particularly strong one that caused me to fall and break my tooth. I ended up in the emergency room.  

I was diagnosed with juvenile myoclonic epilepsy, which I was later told I would have for the rest of my life. Naturally, I was shattered. I started taking seizure medication, which I had to change after I had a tonic-clonic seizure. 

I come from a family of fighters. My grandmother dealt with stomach cancer and colorism. My parents immigrated to the United States from India to begin a new life, and my sister and I have faced many issues ranging from anti-Asian racism to depression. Despite these challenges we go through, we continue to come out stronger. 

Thanks to modern medicine, my seizures are under control. I can live life while hardly thinking about them, for which I'm incredibly grateful. 

Seizures have not stopped me from enjoying my various hobbies, including music and martial arts. At the same time, it is good to know I am not alone. I am glad there is a community of people out there sharing stories about their own experiences. Spreading awareness is the first step in combating epilepsy.