Click on the photos to read more.

Click on the photos to read more.

Click on the photos to read more.

Hi; I am Ashley. I had a seizure 2 years ago in grade 9. I was 13 going on 14, and that day I wasn’t feeling well. I was sick to my stomach, and my legs and hands felt shaky.

I walked into my class. I walked to my desk and O’Canada went on. I started to feel dizzy, my vision went fuzzy and then it went black. Then I realized I was on the floor, and my classmates ran to me. They seemed worried and shocked. Then the teachers ran to me, they got the class to sit. They seemed shocked and scared too, maybe event worried as well.

I could hear everything but I couldn’t move or talk. I felt paralyzed. I was really scared and shocked. But in this moment this was happening. I felt shaky, scared, shocked, upset, angry. I wanted to yell for help but couldn’t.

I felt like the world turned to blackness and darkness and all I could do is lay there and do nothing. I felt useless and scared. When I woke up, I was crying and I don’t know why I was.

But then they called my mom and I went home. I also went to the hospital. I was ok afterwards.

I think if my classmates and teachers knew I had seizures, and seizure first aid, they might have known what to do when I had my seizure.

– Ashley, 17 years old

I went to Canadian Tire for a job interview. I didn’t get the job because I have epilepsy. It was my first interview ever. I didn’t talk much which may have been a contributing factor to not getting the job, but it was my dad telling the interviewer that I have epilepsy which may have been the reason for not getting the job.

When my dad told him I have epilepsy, his eyes looked big. He said he would call, but he didn’t. After the first time I called back, I knew he was avoiding my calls.

I expected to be treated like that because a lot of people think like that. It’s annoying because it’s a typical stereotype of what people think about epilepsy.

– Ben, 18 years old

My name is Dana. I am fifteen years old. I was diagnosed with epilepsy when I was 11 years old, the same year I was diagnosed with autism.

I feel embarrassed of epilepsy because I will be absent for a while. During the seizure, anything can happen in this time – even pee. I had different medications and each medication has different effects on me.

I hope all people around me know that epilepsy is normal like any other sickness like flu and headaches.

– Dana, 15 years old

Hi; my name is Emma. My story is about my seizure when I was little. I would have may episodes when I was young. It was so hard for my mom and dad. We were in and out of CHEO; my whole life was spent in CHEO. My mom was so nervous for me.

After we got to the hospital, the nurses gave me a bunch of stuffed toys. When my mom came back in the room my mom said, “Who gave you all of the toys?”

I said, “The nurses did.”

She said, “I am jealous!”

My lesson for the audience is that it’s ok to have a seizure, but not as many as I did. Also, if you have any questions, I will be able to answer them.

Emma, 20 years old

Hi; my name is Shahow. I had a seizure in the basement of my house. My seizure happened when I was in the basement playing video games with my friends. I was 20 years old. I felt scared and  I felt that I was going to vomit.

I felt safe that my friends were with me. I felt safe because if I get a seizure my friends can tell someone. After my seizure, the first thing I saw was the paramedic taking my blood pressure and asking me questions. I was also brought upstairs by the paramedics and my friends after my seizure. I felt confused. After my seizure my mom, friends, and sister were scared.

My friend never came back to my house. It’s been 7 months. He’s avoiding me. When my friend never came back, I felt sad. I wanted him to come back so that I can talk to him. I want the audience to see that life can be sad. I would have liked if my friend would have said that he would still come back since it was only one seizure.

– Shahow, 21 years old