***
New Outlets of Support
I've been volunteering with the Epilepsy Foundation of Greater Chicago and attending many of their events, and I've been overwhelmed with joy at how much support other epilepsy patients offer each other. Not just the patients, either. Their families, friends, co-workers, the list goes on.
I've also, as many of you know, have met so many great people through social media sites like Twitter. Epilepsy patients and their families and friends all come together to ask questions about everything from medications, seizure experiences, work related issues... just everything across the board. And you'll get responses, too. I was just talking to a man who was recently diagnosed with epilepsy and he had so many questions for me that I was more than happy to answer because I know how I felt when I was in his position. I only wish I would've taken to Twitter for support as quickly as he had. Kudos to him.
The point here is, as an epilepsy patient, you have to have a solid support system in place for you to get through these tough days, and we no longer have to look just within our circle of family and friends (although I believe this is essential), we have so many new outlets for support. I have the Epilepsy Foundation of Greater Chicago, Facebook, Twitter, and the contact info from the people I meet while volunteering to start an email chain of support.
Let's all stick together. Epilepsy is a long, winding, and rocky road. Why not have others there to cheer us on throughout this journey?
***
NEXT UP: Be sure to check out NEXT POST for more on Epilepsy Awareness.
