I am a carpenter with epilepsy. Fuckin great. That’s like a motivational speaker with turrets, a tattoo artist with Parkinson’s, a politician that’s not able to spew nonsense. Out of all the career paths I could have chosen that don’t require me at heights. I chose carpentry, a thankless job that doesent have much of monetary growth. Most people think I am going to scam them before I even walk into their house.(I don’t I am way too god damn honest) I was learning to take all the crap that went with the job. But now? Hey lets throw possible seizures into the mix that might be fun? Right? No its not, it sucks. I am way too stupid to learn anything new. Maybe I will get lucky and die. —future burger flipper
This article appears in Sep 12-18, 2013.
Any reason you can’t do cabnetry?
Unless your neurologist advises against your working with power tools,don’t let epilepsy control your life,it can be controlled with medication.
I don’t know anything about epilepsy but what crock said sounds familiar. medication controls the seizures?
are you worried that no one will hire you? I would say ladders are not a good idea, yes.
also, the trade is going to need a lot of instructors/teachers in the coming years.
Carpenter Man,
I have a lot of experience with neurological disorders (at the front-line level), and I also deal with a chronic illness that challenged my ability to work for quite some time, so please take me seriously when I say, “Don’t fret”. Crock is absolutely spot-on here–there are medications that are quite effective (not all of them have that awful sedation side effect either), and as Crock also pointed out, epilepsy does not have to control your life.
One of the most important things you can do is give yourself the time to figure out what your own personal parameters are with your disorder. For example, when do you become too tired to carry out or complete a task (work or fun)–fatigue is like opening a door for disorders and diseases to misbehave. Proper and consistent REST will be one of your best friends.
Parameters include both fun-time and work-time. When we are forced to deal with this type of thing it is of the utmost importance to enjoy fun times–especially if we have to work. This makes coping easier, and, I believe, reduces the risk of the disorder acting up (e.g., in your case, seizures), because we are relaxed and because we have balance between work and play. Finding your parameters and respecting them will help you move towards the type of life-balance you will need.
Once you get to know your parameters, it will be easier for you to recognize cues that tell you that you may have a seizure coming on (I mean non-aura cues). You will also be able to more realistically look at projects that come across your desk, and decide whether or not they are within your scope (I am certain many, if not most, will be). By the way, Shitty D might be on to something–even if cabinetry has not been your thing, perhaps you might try your hand at it. Architecture is another thought I have for you–perhaps even subsidized education, given your unforeseen medical situation.
You sound like a really cool person, Carpenter Man. I really respect honest people. Do what you need to do to manage your immediate stress; but maybe think of it (bastard epilepsy [I mean that]) as something that has pushed new choices your way. Keep it simple day-to-day. For now, unload the anxiety as best you can, then think about what you need to do AND what you would like to make your life like, and move towards a balance between the two.
I really DO know what it’s like to be slammed with something powerful and ugly, and I feel for you….the memory of feeling like there were so many things that I would have to abandon (stuff I really wanted [still want] to do) is still pretty fresh and not completely out of my sights…yet.
My heart really does go out to you–best immediate advice: do something really nice for yourself RIGHT NOW–fill the hole the disorder makes with something you have always wanted/wanted to do (big or small), but have not afforded yourself the time or the luxury. But my earlier advice still stands as well.
It will get better, Carpenter Man. You will feel like your own person again–and soon, I think. Hang in there.
Sending lotsa good vibes your way,
SheSang
You should try and find some help, or someone to talk to. One should never wish for death upon themselves 🙁
The Captain isn’t trained in the field of medicine so is unable to offer advice in that department. However, believe me when I tell you that you are only as stupid as you say you are. Take SheSang’s advice, look for subsidized education; someone recently diagnosed with epilepsy and looking for skills training shouldn’t have trouble finding funding. Make that your goal, to go out and find the money that I know exists out there, and discover what potential this new situation has afforded you.
I know many people who have not only bounced back from a terminal diagnosis, but actually improved their life to a state better than pre-diagnosis. Do you wonder why? Because being faced with such a terrifying fate actually made them Fearless! Life actually got easier because the measuring post that they used to gauge how difficult or uncomfortable a situation was got moved so far beyond the scope of every other problem that all the other problems became more or less inconsequential.
The Captain feels for you, Carpenter, but is also hopeful that you can reap all the possible benefits from this situation, and experience and learn from the negative outcomes without letting them defeat you.
Chin up OP. I have a friend who lost his vision to MS around the same time he was finishing up his graphic design course so I am very sympathetic 🙁 Your life might not take you where you wanted or expected, but do what you have to do to get through the now so you can carry on later.
I don’t know what kind of seizures you have, but I get complex partial followed by generalized tonic-clonic. I’ve been medically controlled for over 20 years, after being diagnosed as a child. It took over two years to find the right balance of meds, and I went toxic on a couple before it got sorted out. I’m now nine months pregnant with my first child, after reducing one medication by over half (another journey) because of potential serious risks to my son. He’s growing and developing right on track and is due any day.
I rode horses my entire life, took falls, jumped 4 foot courses, the works. Trust me, that is scarier than seizures at times. Not to mention the thought of having one while trying to control a 1500lb animal.
I’ve had to explain to teachers, coworkers, coaches, professors and everyone in between that yes, I am epileptic and yes, I could have a seizure at just about any juncture. Yeah, I have to declare it on my driver’s license. I have to take my meds on time and I have to deal with their side effects, as well as the anxiety of sometimes not being able to remember if I’ve taken them or not, or getting stuck somewhere without them. I’ve been told by medical professionals that I am a bad person for wanting to have children because of the meds I take. Every time I go into a new place I first look for the safest spot to try to get to in case something happens – and this is still after 10 years seizure free.
I could regale you further but instead, just remember: if you let epilepsy control your life, it will. If you refuse to give up experiencing, adventuring, conquering, succeeding and essentially doing the things that make you happy because of this monkey on your back, you’ll be fine.
So yes, it sucks royally and I really hope you can find a good balance of medication and lifestyle that allows you to control it instead of it controlling you. It’s a part of who you are, sure – but it doesn’t define you, and it can’t, unless you let it. Best of luck.
Really great of you to share Katherynne–it is so important to know that others truly understand our pain and frustration, and that there really is a light at the end of that awful tunnel! Congratulations on being seizure free for the past 10 years–you sound like a really good person who has worked very hard to acheive and maintain a successful balance in life:) Bigger congrats for your babe on the way–hope you have an easy labour, and that he gets here soon!!
Know that your commitment to yourself (esp not letting the med system define what your life should be like) is what has made your life so beautiful. I really respect you AND your approach to dealing with epilepsy.
Kudos girl! Great job dealing with the seizure disorder, and refusing to let it run or ruin your life:)
All the best,
SheSang
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@ Carpenter Man: if Cap says there is funding avail for education for ppl in your situation, then there is funding there!! Cap knows what he is talking about with regards to that kind of thing so, seriously, if you are thinking of more or different education, check around. Cap prob has better ideas, but I would start with the EI website (even if you are not on EI), to find general info about what funded educational opportunities may be available/of interest to you–a potential starting point. If you have a medical social worker that person may also be very helpful as well. Best of luck!!
Have you tried weed? I know a guy with epilepsy that hasn’t had a seizure in over 10 years since he started smoking. True story
My Ma has a seizure disorder and lamotrigine works WONDERS. She went from having multiple grand mal seizures and those inducing transient amnesia to none. As long as she takes every single dose.
PLEASE don’t give up! There are treatments out there! I’m cheering for you, OB!
Seizure disorders run in my family, I have a sister,her daughter and my son have/had seizure disorders .They all had grand mal seizures which were controlled with medications.
It’s a difficult disorder as an adult to have to deal with,a child with a seizure disorder who has to explore the world around them, in order to gain a sense of self, it can be more difficult. Fortunately these days with the effectiveness of certain medications, children and adults are not as affected by epilepsy as they were even just 10 years ago.
SheSang I am glad you are feeling better.Hope you were able to take advantage of the weather this summer and got in lots of surfing.
OP epilepsy no longer carries the stigma it once did, please don`t allow it to dictate how you live your life.
Good luck OP