When people think about epilepsy, they usually think about the seizure.
I get it. I have tonic-clonic seizures, and they’re dramatic, unpredictable, and honestly, scary to witness. But what most people don’t see is everything that happens between the seizures—especially at work.
I’ve realized that one of the biggest challenges of living with epilepsy isn’t always the condition itself. It’s the misunderstanding that comes with it.
Telling an employer or colleague that I have epilepsy can feel like taking a huge risk. Not because I’m ashamed of it, but because I never know what they’ll think. Will they see me as capable? Or will they suddenly start questioning whether I can do my job?
It’s frustrating because, before they knew about my epilepsy, my work spoke for itself. My ideas mattered. My experience mattered. Then, with one conversation, it can feel like all they see is the diagnosis.
The funny thing is, epilepsy has probably made me a stronger employee.
I’ve learned how to adapt when life throws me a curveball. I’ve become resilient in ways I never expected. I’ve had to pick myself up after seizures, recover, and keep moving forward. That kind of perseverance doesn’t disappear when I walk into the office—it comes with me every single day.
What I wish more people understood is that having epilepsy doesn’t mean I’m asking for special treatment. I don’t want lower expectations or sympathy. I just want to be judged by the quality of my work, not by the “what ifs” people imagine.
A little understanding goes a long way. Asking questions instead of making assumptions. Learning what epilepsy actually is. Realizing that every person who has it experiences it differently.
Imagine how many talented people stay quiet about their condition because they’re worried it will change the way others see them. That’s a problem we don’t talk about enough.
So here’s my small contribution to changing that.
I’m a person with epilepsy. I have tonic-clonic seizures. I’m also hardworking, reliable, creative, and ambitious.
Those things can all be true at the same time.
Maybe if we talked about epilepsy a little more openly, we’d spend a lot less time fighting misconceptions—and a lot more time recognizing people’s potential.
Dealing with epilepsy 