Also part of the mythology, many people still believe that epilepsy and seizures are always devastating, that they will continue to recur, that they will get worse, that the brain will be damaged, and that their child might be handicapped, become retarded, or even die. Now we know that only a small percentage of children who have a single seizure have a second seizure and, therefore, do not have epilepsy. We now know that most seizures in children can be controlled with medication, that most children outgrow their seizures and can be taken off medication. Only a minority of children with epilepsy will have difficult-to-control seizures. Most children with seizures are absolutely normal all or virtually all of the time, except during the seizure.
The mythology still persists because epilepsy remains a hidden condition. People see only the small percentage of children who are severely handicapped and who have seizures. The vast majority, whose seizures are well controlled and who function normally, do not advertise that they have epilepsy. If your neighbor’s child has seizures, is on medication and is doing well, you may never even know that he has epilepsy. Only if that child has a seizure when his friends are around do they become aware of his epilepsy. His friends’ parents may say, “I never knew he had epilepsy. He looks so normal!” “I thought that all children with epilepsy are retarded.” “The only child I knew with seizures was in a wheelchair and never went to school.” If we want to combat these old myths and prejudices, children with epilepsy and their families have to be far more comfortable and open about their disorder. Only then will the public understand that most people with epilepsy are just like themselves. Seeing only children who are disabled, you get the wrong impression. You may have no idea that most children who have epilepsy encounter no problem as a result of their seizures.
You can handicap your child if you continue to believe in the mythology. Most individuals with epilepsy can function normally, becoming exuberant children, vigorous adolescents, and productive adults who are free of seizures altogether. You will have to learn what protections are reasonable and realistic, and which restrictions will simply handicap your child. Avoiding overprotection will require that you understand not only seizures, but also your reaction to them, your child’s reaction, and the reactions of others. You need to work actively to prevent seizures from becoming a handicap. In most cases, you can succeed.
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