I knew that epilepsy had the potential to destroy my reputation. Partial complex seizures can cause a person to pull at their clothing. I was horrified that I might remove some of my clothing without knowing it. I was also terrified of having a seizure while shopping and unknowingly leave a store with unpaid merchandise. If this happened and I was arrested, my career as a Financial Security Advisor with Freedom 55 Financial would be ruined.

My driver’s license had been suspended almost immediately after my first seizure and rightly so. As a result my career was in serious jeopardy. The belief had always been that this job was impossible if you were unable to drive and anyone in this predicament would not be hired. Before epilepsy I drove on average 55,000 kilometers a year throughout the province visiting existing clients and prospective clients. If this wasn’t bad enough, my medications were proving ineffective. I had very serious doubts as to whether I could survive it all.

In the midst of all this havoc, I was offered a well paying position related to my nursing background where driving wasn’t a requirement. I almost accepted it. But I’ve always believed that there’s more pain associated with regret than defeat. I knew that if I didn’t stay and try, I never would have known if I could have done it. Then I reflected on something I had read in a magazine in Dr. Ogunyemi’s waiting room one year before. It said “If you try to do something that’s already been done, you know you can do it because someone else has. But if you do something that’s never been done, you will lead the way for all those who will follow.” Consequently, I decided to stay and fight to the bitter end.

I also decided to tell everyone in my life that I had epilepsy. I explained in detail what my seizures might look like. I felt they deserved that respect since they could witness an episode at any time and if they were prepared it would be less stressful for both them and me. I displayed epilepsy brochures in my home and office for all to see. Secrets isolate us and I refused to let epilepsy isolate me.

To my amazement support came from everywhere. My family, friends and co-workers rallied around me with words of encouragement, offers of rides and pats on the back. Then I had to face the intimidating task of informing my clients. Their reaction was absolutely heart warming. They all showed immense care and concern. Often I would take a bus or a taxi to visit them but most were willing to drive to my home or office. Some even picked me up and drove me to their home for a meal and then we did business. Even though I had seizures in front of numerous clients, not one abandoned me.

There was one experience in particular that still brings tears to my eyes. I was meeting an elderly couple for the first time. Before I had a chance to explain my disorder, I shut down completely and started doodling on my notepad. When I regained awareness almost ten minutes later the lady was hugging me and telling me not to worry, that everything would be fine. Despite this scary event, they still chose to become my clients.