Epilepsy Awareness Thread 🤕

I'm pretty sure that's illegal. Unless you are working with some dangerous equipment that could result in injury or death if you had a seisure around it, they absolutely have no right to fire you. There is nothing understandable about this. It's discrimination, pure and simple.

One of my immediate family has epilepsy too, so I understand quite a bit about it.

Nothing will fix this but.. maybe an artichoke heart will help? :P

insert artichoke heart

Dand it, it's so funny.. Artichoke xD

Always remember no one is lonely our creator(u can call him with any name in different religion) is always with us and watching over us. So never feel lonely enjoy your loneliness because there will be a time u will be preoccupied with your work and u will think about spending time alone away from the crowd.

Hey sorry to hear what happened. None of this is your fault, so please remember that. Those coworkers of your are terrible people. That shouldn't have even cross their mind. When someone is in trouble, whether it is mental, physical or health wise, you look to try them and offer assistance. Not throw them out. I don't know where you are located but you should talk to a lawyer. I think there should be law in the workforce for that. And no, do not understand their reasoning for throwing you out. That is something terrible they did and don't even try to defend them. If after what happened and you can't perform your job. Sure then you talk to management but people don't go rooting for you to lose your job. You own this job no loyalty if they are going to treat you like that. It would mean that all your co-workers, management and the company itself will do that to anyone else. And you wouldn't want that to happen to anyone else. So yea, talk to a legal expert and bring this forward so no one else can get the same treatment that you did. If you ever need to talk more or just vent or want to express your feeling. Feel free to talk to me. Otherwise, I do hope this incident won't happen again and you can find a new and better job. Where you are surrounded by a better company and co-workers.

When I was fourteen, I witnessed my older brother have his first seizure. It came completely out of nowhere. Yes, it was scary for me, but it was surely nothing compared to what he went through afterward, dealing with his thoughts and feelings and worries about the future. You have my sympathy. And to be clear, it takes a special kind of heartless to cancel somebody who is going through that. Like others here, I would encourage you to seek legal representation. Good luck.

I'm sorry to hear this, friend
Sometimes it happened because you deserve(and will!) find a better job at a better place where people would understand what has happened, that it wasn't your fault and nobody can control such things

Maybe it was for the best that you had a seizure yet you're on good health, and have the opportunity of diagnosing it better?
Maybe looking back to this situation in a year or two you'll be at a much better place? Godspeed, mate

It is a sad story that you are not understood by your workplace.
I think it is OK to work with epilepsy as long as you tell people about it in advance.
However, there was one person with epilepsy who hid it from me and others beforehand.

I have had it suddenly turn over in my office.
Fortunately, I knew what to do to secure the airway, so I adjusted his posture and protected his tongue with a handkerchief to prevent it from being bitten off, and an ambulance came and retrieved him, and I was later told what happened.
This happened when I came in having forgotten the medicine I always take.
It was a story like that.

The person who turned over was understood by those around him and continued to work at the same place for a long time afterward.
But the person said one more thing.
He was afraid that having "epilepsy" would prevent him from working.

Perhaps something to think about when looking for a new job.
I am sure there is support available in your country, but it is hard to do anything if you are living with something "hidden" (something you want to say but find it hard to say).
If you can, try to find a place where you can talk with others who have the same problems. You may gain some helpful insights.
I hope your next workplace will be more understanding.

Sorry to hear that mate.. that feels like wrongful termination alright. You can at least ask a lawyer about this and see where it goes from there (better call saul.. jk)
Don't lose hope, you'll get better, and find a more supportive workplace for sure :)

Considering it is illegal, are you sure you haven't been fired for also something else? Like discriminating opinions?
https://www.steamgifts.com/discussion/9b1m8/june-is-lgbt-pride-month-5/search?page=4#D458EIu

Don't you guys have some laws for protection against things like this? I know, it might seem pointless, but at least worth a shot. And f*ck those co workers of yours.
Don't really get the boss as well. Doesn't seem logical conclusion. Specially if you were performing well.

Your colleagues were pieces of shit then.

Sue the fuck out of them, I'm pretty sure that's illegal.
Fuck those fake colleagues more like asshole betrayers.

that really really sucks.

sure, fight it if you can but sadly it can't take away the experience of going through this... Hopefully this all leads to something better in the end.

all the best man!

So saddened to hear (another example of) how "little" people can be. It is difficult enough suffering with some hardship without having people who do not have such a hardship shunning, despising, being uncaring and making life even more difficult for someone who more than anything else needs love and understanding. 😢

Man, that's too cruel. I hope you can find a job you like that won't boot you for something out of your control.

25 (or so) years ago, I went on meds for this. The meds then caused weight gain, hair loss, and reduced cognitive function. (Hopefully there are better meds these days?) I was lucky -- I only had minor motors, my dosage was low, I knew my triggers, I could recognize the aura and often stop before having a seizure, and in time I could get weaned off the meds and live seizure free. My two sisters are not so lucky -- grand mals and persistent higher dosages for them.

I wish you the best in living with and managing this. I hope you have good, in-person relationships with people who are supportive, unlike those callous co-workers.

So sorry to hear that! My eldest son is an epileptic, and honestly stories like this make me worry about his life when he's grown up. I know it's scary watching someone have a seizure, but you'd think by now people would be more able to accept that it's no fault of your own and treat you with a little kindness. It's sad that in a world we're expected to treat everyone with respect over things they choose to do, many can't find a bit of kindness for those who have things they genuinely can't control. I really hope you find something to do where you are valued and respected.

Seriously?! What kind of pussy colleagues are they? After 6 years of working together, they've decided to boot you out instead of showing you support just because of a fucking seizure?!
Bro, you deserve better than those pathetic snowflakes. I'd say sue their ass and find a better job with people who can deal with things more maturely.

I don't speak German so I can't really help with the search but if I were you, I'd google to find an association that protects the rights of people with epilepsy, or disabilities in general, and I would shoot them an email to know what your best course of action is, as I'm sure you have many.

These organizations tend to be not for profit but they usually have access to databases of lawyers and other people who can help if not sue, at least arbitrate the situation with your employer to enforce your rights and get your job back.

I know someone here who was fired from a professional kitchen after having a seizure (he had traumatic brain injury after an accident) and he got some help from a European agency advocating for people with epilepsy and seizures. He couldn't get his job back because of work safety concerns and insurance issues but if you work retail and you have managed to work there 6 years without anyone even knowing you had epilepsy, I really don't think they can play the "work safety" card. It was discrimination, pure and simple.

Your co-workers being at ease or not with you is not a good reason to fire someone, whatever it is that makes them uneasy.

As a fellow epileptic, I'm very sorry to hear how they've treated you. For some reason It seems very hard for people to understand seizures, and they can treat you as an outcast. I've never been treated that badly though. I have been treated terribly due to anxiety disorder and depression, so I know how that feels.

I'm 'lucky' in that I get a warning aura of maybe 5 or 10 seconds, which is enough time to find a chair or bed or something. Mine are generalized grand mal seizures, so I end up taking an hour or two 'nap' afterwards.

Do you have decent meds? It took me a long time to find one that worked for me. A couple like depakote made my hair fall out, and I gained weight. Keppra interfered with my anxiety and made me feel like I was going to die. Finally found oxcarbazepine, and things are working great.

I hope you can find a decent job with decent people, and that your epilepsy is manageable.

I've heard that CBD oil really helps a lot with seizures, and there's scientific research to back up its efficacy. It's definitely something to look into IMHO...

https://www.healthline.com/health/cbd-oil-for-seizures

I'm so sorry to hear that, that's utterly terrible. you don't have HR? or someone you can report to?
To fire someone like that, is being ableist in my opinion.
My mother suffers with epileptic tonic like seizures so I understand how painful it can be.

Hello, I am so sorry for what you've been through.
I have an uncle who had epilepsy too so I kind of understand!
I can be your friend if you want to!!! Don't be lonely, lonely can literally lead you to do stupid things!
Go out, find a hobby, meet new people, your life will be much better!

I feel like there is a significant chunk of the story here that is missing