How Epilepsy Changed My Life
How Epilepsy Changed My Life
Gilbert Lutes
Essay ENGL 121
10/15/12
Writing Assignment
When I was just seven-years old, I was diagnosed with epilepsy. I’d been having small and frequent seizures my entire life without ever knowing of it until one day when I was shelling walnuts in front of the fireplace. Everything I ever knew was being stripped away from me. I no longer had control over any of the muscles in my body, my ability to speak, my actions, nor my sight. All I could do was relax and wait for my brain to catch up and regain control over my body. My life has been changed by epilepsy, but I will never let it control my life.
By definition, “Epilepsy occurs when nerve cells in the brain send electrical messages at a rate of up to four times higher than normal which causes a sort of electrical storm in the brain, known as a seizure or convulsion,” (http://www.patienthealthinternational.com/epilepsy/).
After realizing that I was “abnormal,” my parents sent me to see a bunch of specialist. I attended many clinics across the US, trying to find the most reliable and safest way to treat my “issues” or deficiencies. My pediatrician told me that it was “cryptogenic - this means the doctor thinks there is probably a cause, but cannot pinpoint it,” (http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/8947.php).
The Amen clinic in Fairfield, California was our first stop. Dr Amen pretty much doped me up on drugs and forgot about me. Each specialist ran his or her own set of tests on me. Some doctors wanted to do EEGs, MRIs, CAT scans, and other neurological studies and tests while others had all new approaches like vitamin supplements, green diets, physical training plans, some even had ideas about reprograming me like a computer (aka Brainwashing me). I felt like a lab rat everyone could prick poke and scan for new exciting links between epilepsy and brain issues.
After the research was done, I was sent to a Dr. Debbie Marks who, at that time, had no degree
Gilbert Lutes
Essay ENGL 121
10/15/12
Writing Assignment
When I was just seven-years old, I was diagnosed with epilepsy. I’d been having small and frequent seizures my entire life without ever knowing of it until one day when I was shelling walnuts in front of the fireplace. Everything I ever knew was being stripped away from me. I no longer had control over any of the muscles in my body, my ability to speak, my actions, nor my sight. All I could do was relax and wait for my brain to catch up and regain control over my body. My life has been changed by epilepsy, but I will never let it control my life.
By definition, “Epilepsy occurs when nerve cells in the brain send electrical messages at a rate of up to four times higher than normal which causes a sort of electrical storm in the brain, known as a seizure or convulsion,” (http://www.patienthealthinternational.com/epilepsy/).
After realizing that I was “abnormal,” my parents sent me to see a bunch of specialist. I attended many clinics across the US, trying to find the most reliable and safest way to treat my “issues” or deficiencies. My pediatrician told me that it was “cryptogenic - this means the doctor thinks there is probably a cause, but cannot pinpoint it,” (http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/8947.php).
The Amen clinic in Fairfield, California was our first stop. Dr Amen pretty much doped me up on drugs and forgot about me. Each specialist ran his or her own set of tests on me. Some doctors wanted to do EEGs, MRIs, CAT scans, and other neurological studies and tests while others had all new approaches like vitamin supplements, green diets, physical training plans, some even had ideas about reprograming me like a computer (aka Brainwashing me). I felt like a lab rat everyone could prick poke and scan for new exciting links between epilepsy and brain issues.
After the research was done, I was sent to a Dr. Debbie Marks who, at that time, had no degree