Free eBooks > Health, Mind & Body > Mental Health > Depression > Epilepsy You're Not Alone: A Personal View On How To Cope With The Disorder

Epilepsy You're Not Alone: A Personal View On How To Cope With The Disorder

by Stacey Chillemi

Live, Learn and Be Happy with Epilepsy, is targeted for individuals who have epilepsy. Unlike other books on epilepsy, it will focus on the facts of the connection between the mind, body, and spirit as it relates to epilepsy, showing readers how to use that connection to cope with epilepsy.

Individuals of all ages suffer from epilepsy and seizures. People with epilepsy are not the only ones who suffer, family and friends suffer. How would you feel if you walked into the house to find the one you loved or felt close to on the floor with their eyes rolled back and their body shaking uncontrollably? It is something you do not want to experience.

These individuals are yearning to learn more about the disorder that is disrupting their life and they are unable to do it because most existing books on the market approach the subject from the physician's point of view. There is little emphasis made on showing people with epilepsy that you can make changes in your life to live positively with epilepsy.

The following chapters will deal with the mind, body, and spirit connection. The book includes chapters on the role of motivation, self-esteem, and faith. In order to help readers reduce stress and learn how to incorporate epilepsy in their life so they can live with the disorder feeling good about them. This book shows how to create a "personal journal" that combines use of positive imagery, relaxation, meditation, and exercise.

The book will include my own personal experience growing up with epilepsy and how I overcame the disorder. The end of the book will include a section discussing how to keep you in good health emotionally, physically and spiritually. The book helps readers learn that to keep their seizures under control, they cannot just take medicine. They need to keep themselves healthy by eating right, exercising, and sleeping properly. This chapter will introduce readers to techniques and exercises that will help you put the advice of the chapter into immediate practice. The last chapter of the book will include what medical technology has in store for people with epilepsy, discussing new medicines, treatments, and surgical procedures. In addition, the book will include a glossary to help understand medical terms in the book that may be unfamiliar to the reader. Through example and encouragement will offer readers a Live, Learn and Be Happy with Epilepsy, variety of strategies for coping with epilepsy. will present reader Live, Learn and Be Happy with Epilepsy, with a workable program for coping with their disorder and forming a healthy relationship with their mind, body and spirit enabling readers to overcome their disorder and get on with their lives.

From the Inside Flap
Living life with epilepsy can be a colossal struggle. But, if you are Stacey Chillemi, it is a challenge and an opportunity to help others. Stacey Chillemi is 32 years old, a mother of three, a wife and writer. Her journey and reason for being is defined each day by the happiness in her children's eyes and the people with epilepsy she has helped through her writing. "Through this experience with epilepsy I have learned to accept my limitations and to change the way I look at things. Through my writing I am able to help others and just knowing I've helped is enough of a reward," said Chillemi. How it Began At five years of age, Chillemi contracted encephalitis from what doctors' surmise began as an ear infection. For four days she lay in a coma and doctors were unsure of whether she would suffer from paralysis as well as the extent of the brain damage. Fortunately, she recovered from her bout with encephalitis with no paralysis. However, she was left with epilepsy. Since her diagnosis, 27 years ago, Chillemi has had seizures ranging in severity from mild seizures in her sleep to tonic-clonic seizures. Living with Limitations As a mother of three and a woman with epilepsy, Chillemi is realistic about her limitations, "Having epilepsy and being a mom is difficult at times because I worry that if I have a seizure and I am unable to recover fast enough, that my kids will suffer," said Chillemi. In fact, the entire time Chillemi has been a mother she has had only one tonic-clonic seizure resulting in serious injury. According to Chillemi, she was walking the dog with her children when she felt a seizure coming on. She immediately instructed the children to go inside and wait downstairs for her. Following the seizure, Chillemi realized she had suffered a head injury and reached out to a neighbor for help. After the tonic-clonic seizure Chillemi decided to write a children's book, called "My Mommy Has Epilepsy". Her goal was to help children understand epilepsy in an age appropriate way as well as to help dispel some of the fear she had witnessed her own children experience. "I don't want my children to get nervous or to worry about my seizures and the tonic- clonic seizure really motivated me to write a children's book to help them and other kids cope and understand epilepsy." She admits she is also limited by not being able to drive, but attributes her ability to ask for help when she needs it as one more lesson learned. "At first it was difficult to rely on other people to drive the children and me places. I felt bad asking family and friends. But, now I've accepted my limitations and accepted who I am." Wisdom for Women Chillemi cautions women with epilepsy to monitor their stress level. "Don't try to accomplish too much. Do as much as you can and remember to set realistic goals and to reward yourself each day." She also believes that in order to live with epilepsy and maintain a positive attitude it is important to focus on one's self. " Don't look at what other people can do, only focus on yourself and your abilities because if you constantly compare, then you are adding to your stress level, which leads to being more physically drained and ultimately leaves you open to experience more seizures." She advises women with epilepsy to educate themselves about their epilepsy and believes knowledge helps alleviate stress as well, "Women need to consult with their doctor, but not rely on their doctor for all of their information. In order to really feel empowered it is essential to take the initiative to learn all you can about epilepsy."

From the Back Cover
I have had epilepsy for 25 years. Spiritually I have learned a lot about myself; I learned what my wants and what my needs are. I have also learned that one cannot let having epilepsy control their life. Yes, I have epilepsy, but I do not have to stop living. Life goes on! One needs to be proud of who they are. I am determined to live a normal life. You cannot compare your life to someone else's life. If you do that you're going to be unhappy. You need to love yourself and be satisfied with the life you lead and if you're not satisfied than change it! You need to realize also that there are plenty of people who take medicine and many individuals do not drive for lots of other reasons. You should not feel ashamed or feel different from others. We all have a special beauty within us. No one is perfect or has a life that is flawless. So if you have epilepsy do not, be ashamed that you are epileptic. Someone that I met a while back taught me that there is nothing wrong with having epilepsy. Throughout the book, I have letters of people telling their experiences of living with epilepsy and how they feel having the disorder. I learned so many valuable things from all the letters I have received. It is very easy to begin to feel sorry for yourself until you realize that some people may have it a lot worse. It has also helped me feel better to know that there are many other epileptics in this world. We may have different seizures, but our feelings about living with epilepsy are all very similar. I truly believe that all things happen for a reason. I believe that our lives are planned for us a head of time. There is nothing wrong with having epilepsy. Epilepsy is something that you should not be ashamed of or hide. Having epilepsy has taught me to appreciate life and appreciate what God has given me. It has helped me develop confidence in myself and to love myself for who I am. Epilepsy has also made me want to reach out and help others.

About the Author
I have an Associate Degree in business, a BA in marketing and a minor in advertising. I have worked for NBC, Dateline, Channel 4 News, and other large companies. I am currently a managing editor for the Magazine UZURI. And I have always had a strong background in Business and Marketing and I have a strong business background. Womans World Magazine just interviewed me for an article on all my accomplishments. I have written speeches/proposals for other people speaking in front of congress. I have also spoke in front of Congress for employment discrimination.

MY ACCOMPLISHMENTS: I am an H.O.P.E. Mentor, for the Epilepsy Foundation. I have spoken at different events for schools, organizations, political events, I spoke in front of Congress in Washington and anywhere my help is needed to educate people about epilepsy. I was on four talk shows. The interviews focused on the importance of understanding what epilepsy is, how to help someone having a seizure and giving people with epilepsy encouragement and hope for the future. I have been on radio stations discussing epilepsy and I have appeared in many newspapers all over New Jersey such as, The Leader, Belleville Post and the Star Ledger. In addition, on June 26, 2002, I was honored an award by the Epilepsy Foundation of New Jersey for Outstanding Volunteer Award. I have received awards in my achievements and certificates in recognition for outstanding efforts in trying to improve society. I have been an active participant in organizations and activities. I have written many published articles. I have appeared on talk shows and I had articles written about my efforts to help people with epilepsy.

BOOKS WRITTEN BY STACEY CHILLEMI: 1. Epilepsy You're Not Alone 2. Eternal Love: Romantic Poetry Straight from the Heart 3. My Mommy Has Epilepsy (Children's Book) 4. Keep the Faith: To Live and Be Heard from the Heavens Above (poetry book) 5. Live, Learn, and Be Happy with Epilepsy 6. Epilepsy and Pregnancy: What Every Woman Should Know Co-authored by Dr. Blanca Vasques. 7. Keep the Faith 8. Faith, Courage, Wisdom, Strength and Hope 9. How to Be Wealthy Selling Informational Products on the Internet 10. My Daddy Has Epilepsy 11. How to Become Wealthy in Real Estate

Excerpted from Epilepsy You're Not Alone by Stacey Chillemi. Copyright © 2001. Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
You have to believe in yourself, develop a sense of pride in yourself. It does not matter what others think about you, what matters is how you think about yourself. God put us on this earth to love others, not to hurt ourselves and take our anger out on others, who are usually on the people we care about the most and ourselves. Knowledge - is the second part of the process of change, it is another important factor in helping deal with epilepsy. Knowledge comes from experience from being open minded to suggestions others may give. We may not always agree with other people’s suggestions, yet it is always wise to listen to what others have to say. Some individuals may try to be controlling and may get frustrated if we do not act on what they have to say. You should to set these people straight and tell them; I will listen to what you have to say; however, that does not necessarily mean I am going to agree with you. I have my own mind, too and I need to do what is best for me. We learn from each other and we acquire knowledge from the world around us that we should pass along to others by helping them. We need to take our experience and use it in our present life now, including the mistakes we have made in life. The mistakes we have made are where we get most of our knowledge that helps us become stronger individuals. What weakens us when we repeatedly make the same mistakes? Do not pity yourself for the mistakes you made in life or imperfections. Studies have shown that people who have negative attitudes are more like to live chaotic lives. They are more likely to become mentally or physically ill with extremely debilitating or life threatening illnesses. Many people have a hard time focusing on the positive because they allow their negative sides to consume them... I firmly believe that focusing on the negatives will causes seizures. Say to yourself, OK, what I have learned from these mistakes or from my shortcomings. Taking what you have learned and using it to help others is the best therapy. When you help, you feel a sense of accomplishment and self-worth. You are overlooking any negative characteristics because you are too busy focusing on helping others’. Confidence our confidence comes from our self esteem. To have high self esteem we need to feel good about ourselves, to get to this point in life you need to begin by starting to do things in life to make yourself happy by focusing on the future, creating direction in your life. Begin by planning short and long term goals for yourself and confidence level will rise. It worked fir me. When I started accomplishing some of my short-term goals, I had more self-respect. I developed a greater sense of pride and my inner strength and self-worth increased. Wisdom comes from your sixth sense. We all have five senses, our sight, hearing, smell, taste, touch, yet I believe wisdom to be our sixth sense. Wisdom understands the inner signals and the directions that your body sends out to you, becoming aware of what your body is trying to tell you. Your sixth sense always leads you to the right answers. It is up to us to learn to understand our inner self (spirit) and to follow the signals it sends out to us. Listening to what our inner self has to say is essential. For example, have you ever felt like you had a feeling something was the right thing to do. You need to learn to understand your mind, so you can understand your inner soul and all the wonderful things it is capable of doing. When we listen and act on the signals it gives us, we become stronger and to understand our body as a whole. Spiritually you can give your body what it needs. We feed our body food to survive on a daily basis. Spiritually we need to feed our body with love, understanding and different forms of relaxation, such as meditation. I strongly suggest to everyone that they start with at least five minutes each day with some type of relaxation exercise. Either in the morning when you start your day, the afternoon if you are able too or at night before bed to release the tension that has built up throughout the day. Each week you should add five minutes until you get to hour each day. When you do these things, you increase your level of strength, wisdom, knowledge and confidence. By having a high level of strength you feel as though, you can conquer the world. This helps you decrease your stress level. Once you accept epilepsy in your life, you can cope with the world around you and accept the fact that you can do everything you expected to do in life. Nevertheless, to accept that you have epilepsy you first have to love who you are and be proud of the person you have become. There are many things in life you are capable of doing, but you must develop the motivation and the will to get out there and JUST DO THEM!

Related Free eBooks

Related Tags