Hi there. Oh boy are some still in the dark ages concerning epilepsy!! This
makes me sad - there is still a long way to go for us. These people do not
understand epilepsy and that really is the only thing - people must be taught
about this condition. I will try to help you with this list:

1. Epilepsy is NOT a disease. It is a condition of the brain that at
least 3 MILLION people have in the United States alone.

2. Epilepsy is NOT contagious. One cannot possibly "catch" epilepsy
from another. It does not spread like a cold bug.

3. Epilepsy is NOT a mental condition. It is a MEDICAL condition and
must be treated as such.

4. Most of the time for people who do have epilepsy - there is NO known
cause for it. It just is. I woke up one day and just started having
seizures - who knows why - I don't.

5. People have written books about epilepsy and shared their stories
with the world. 2 of these books are " BRAINSTORMS: Epilepsy in our words -
by Steven C. Schachter, MD" and "RUSTY'S STORY - by Carol Gino.

6. the Epilepsy Foundation of America has their very own websight.
WWW.EFA.ORG....this foundation saved me. It helped me to understand my
condition. It made me realize that I was not alone.

I hope this small list helps you. IT's important to realize that these
people are NOT afraid of you. They just do not understand you. I know of
the heartbreak though - mostly ALL who have epilepsy can tell you this.
Epilepsy makes you feel, kind of , seperated from the rest of the world - but
you are not. NEVER are you alone. Don't believe that for 1 second.

I hope this has been of some help for this person Ted...........Thank You for
sharing this with us................Christine Ford