Hadley had her first seizure in December 2020, she was at a nail appointment and just like that it happened so fast. When that happens, you have to go for tests to see what it is. Sometimes it can be nothing and you could have a seizure due to not eating and being tired and that is what we were all hoping for. As weeks went on Hadley was sent for multiple scans and tests. She had to do a CT Scan, MRI, and two EEG’s one was semi normal and one Hadley had to do sleep deprived which showed she had light sensitivity epilepsy.

Living with epilepsy can be easy, and it can be challenging at some points. I think you can also choose to make it easy or hard for yourself. If you think you can still do what everyone else can, you will make it possible. Even though you may have limitations or things you are not able to do does not mean you are not as capable as the next person.

Living with epilepsy has shown me I have to work harder for some things than other people, and that’s okay. I have to put in more work to overcome my struggles, but I am still able to do it, and nothing can ever stop me.

Having epilepsy, you have to see the positive side and what you can do with it, even if there are struggles sometimes.

In 2020 when I had my first seizure I was in a nail Solon getting my nails done all fancy for Christmas, and the crazy person I am just said to keep going I’m fine after having fallen off my chair onto the floor and blacked out and started to have convulsions. After stopping and sitting up I had no idea what had happened and all I remember is yelling my sister’s name.

On the day before Christmas Eve, we drove to another town so I was able to get a CT scan of my brain. The CT scan showed nothing so, then I went to have an EEG in Prince George. The EEG only showed a little bit of seizure activity so my family doctor didn’t want to start me on medication yet.

We then got referred to a specialist and got another EEG done except this one I had to be up for 36 hours, and I was only allowed 2 hours of sleep. After taking that test, it showed that with no sleep, I had way more seizure activity to light and I was very sensitive to it.

I also had to get an MRI to rule out anything else it could have been. After seeing the specialist, he explained It all to my mom and me about different epilepsy and how I could have got it. As of April 2021, I had started epilepsy medication and could be on it for the rest of my life.

This was one of the scariest things I had ever been told. I had no idea how it would be going forward, how some people may even react to it. I have now been seizure free for over two years, and it feels good to know that my medicine works and I am safe. However, I have to be careful still, especially with my light-sensitive epilepsy. I know now when something gets too much, if I feel dizzy, haven’t eaten enough or slept enough I will need to take it easy.

However, being able to share this information feels amazing to know it could help someone else in their journey through epilepsy and finding it out because it isn’t easy, it’s scary but with people who love you and support you, it makes all the difference.