Launched in 2015, International Epilepsy Day is a global observance dedicated to raising awareness about epilepsy, breaking the stigmas surrounding it, and advocating for the rights of those affected. Observed annually on the second Monday of February, the day highlights the importance of education, support, and medical advancements in epilepsy care.
International Epilepsy Day also provides a platform for people with epilepsy to share their experiences and stories about the challenges they face. In honor of International Epilepsy Day, the International Bureau of Epilepsy collected stories from people across the globe and created short YouTube videos describing their journeys with epilepsy. My story is among the 27 accounts posted on the International Epilepsy Day’s journey collection page. I submitted a description of the workplace challenges I faced when I had seizures, the inciting incident for my memoir, Seizing Control. Amazingly, the page’s curators distilled it into a smooth 1.5-minute YouTube slide video. The page includes people’s stories from every populated continent in the world and I’m proud to be part of this diverse group.
Although her story isn’t on the International Epilepsy Day’s journey page, 21-year-old Mileaha McCarton is one of many epilepsy warriors doing her part to raise epilepsy awareness, in honor of International Epilepsy Day. Ms. McCarton was diagnosed with epilepsy four years ago and her brother also has it. Her brother’s larger tonic clonic (aka grand mal) seizures are quite different from hers, so it took Ms. McCarton a few years to figure out that the small jerky motions and brief forgetful moments she experienced were epilepsy symptoms. In addition to studying for her sports degree at Technological University, Dublin Ms. McCarton is a competitive Irish dancer who won the 2023 Dublin Regional Irish Dancing Championships.
Ms. McCarton relied on Epilepsy Ireland for support during her journey. “Epilepsy Ireland have been great. They check in with me regularly…. We have a coffee morning in our house on Good Friday every year to help raise awareness.” Just in time for International Epilepsy Day, Ms. McCarton and Epilepsy Ireland made the news in Dublin this week, for her family’s successful Epilepsy Ireland fundraising efforts. They have raised almost $10,000 in donations over the years, $2,525 of it during 2024. In addition to raising funds and awareness, Ms. McCarton used the news story to send an important message to those diagnosed with epilepsy: “Know that everything will be alright. The supports are there. The most important thing to know is that you can’t let epilepsy define you, you’re so much more than that. Everything is possible even when you’re diagnosed with epilepsy….” A perfect message for International Epilepsy Day.
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