The medical student

JANE was in her second year of medical school when she experienced her first "aura" or warning sign of a seizure, except she didn't realise it was a seizure then.

"I've walked along that road many times before. But that day, I suddenly felt dizzy and my surroundings were completely unfamiliar to me. Nothing seemed recognisable."

When it happened a few more times, she visited a general physician. "He gave the usual advice: sleep well, try not to feel stressed. Epilepsy never even crossed my mind at that point because I had no idea of the symptoms," she recalled.

Jane went undiagnosed for a year, during which she experienced episodes where she was not able to recognise even her good friends.

As fate would have it, Jane's condition was discovered when she attended one of her medical classes. When her neurology professor talked about the symptoms of epilepsy, Jane realised that she was personally familiar with them.

"I told my professor of my symptoms, and he immediately diagnosed it as epilepsy. I was shocked. My professor advised me not to go places alone, not to hike or swim alone, and of course, no driving. I thought that life was going to be drastically different and difficult."

Jane was given medication to control the seizures, but at times, the side-effects seemed worse than the seizures themselves. "My worst experience was when I had a severe allergic reaction to the first medicine I took. It started as a high fever, which was first diagnosed as dengue. I was admitted to the hospital, but things only got worse. I developed a really bad rash all over my body."

Jane was in the hospital for 11 days. She admitted: "I can live with epilepsy, but what I can't take is the allergic reaction to drugs. I never want to go through that again."

Thankfully, she has since been given a more suitable drug that controls her seizures better with minimal side-effects.

"My family and friends have been very supportive. They don't treat me any differently. My boyfriend has also been supportive all this while. I've explained to him that my condition has to be well under control if we wish to start a family in the future. I may or may not be cured. Who knows?" she said prosaically.

As for her career in medicine, Jane has been told that should she wish to specialise, she cannot study surgery due to the epilepsy.

Despite her condition and all the setbacks it caused, Jane still feels optimistic and in control of her life. "It's not such a terrible disease compared to some others. I try to think positively and take it one day at a time."

Displaying the courage and inner strength that has kept her going all this while, Jane said, "The general public needs to be more aware. The unpleasant behaviours and stigmas really need to stop. Employers should be more understanding. Whatever my future holds, that will be my goal: to further public education on epilepsy and lend support to others who are like me."

The determined mother

"My son was 16 years old when he was diagnosed with epilepsy," said Susan. "I was out of the house when my daughter, Kian's older sister, called saying that Kian had collapsed. By the time I got home, it was over. But the second time it happened, it was night, and I saw it with my own eyes. I couldn't sleep all night. It was a terrible feeling.

"I took him to the hospital the very next day and the doctors took EEG and MRI scans of his brain."

Kian was mildly autistic and attended a technical school before his diagnosis. Because of the epilepsy, he could not continue his education. In addition to speech therapy, he now had to see a clinical psychologist for counselling as well.

In the meantime, the stress of her son's condition weighed heavily on Susan. Like any mother, she sought answers and tried to juggle her time between work and caring for her son.

"I was having difficulty coping during those early days. All the worry and pressure eventually culminated in a panic attack. I was recommended to a psychiatrist and he said that I was like a balloon that just got bigger and bigger with all the stress until one day, I suddenly exploded."

Eventually, Kian was enrolled into a job placement programme for special individuals. After two years of training, he began his working life at age 20. Despite having epilepsy, Kian coped well with work, serving one company for as long as seven years.

Even though he can't drive and has to rely on Susan to get around, Kian is reasonably independent. "Kian is very capable. He goes out on his own, does his own laundry and irons them without me having to remind him. He also knows how to cook simple dishes," Susan said.

Despite his independence and apparent normalcy, Susan always finds opportunities to teach him about his condition and how it affects his life.

"I always tell him that he is not 'normal'. Some people might consider this unpleasant or even cruel, but they are not the ones raising a mildly autistic boy with epilepsy.

"Kian has to understand and accept that he is not 'normal' like most other people. It is the only way for him to move forward and grow."

Susan worries about the time when she will be unable to care for Kian. She lays the groundwork now by continuing to prepare Kian for independence, while asking her daughter to take over Kian's care in the future.

Yet Susan faces the future positively and considers herself fortunate. "There are others who have more severe cases than Kian's, or are in more difficult situations. Kian is my special child, and I often tell him to think of himself as blessed."

* Names have been changed.