Community Forum Archive
The Epilepsy Community Forums are closed, and the information is archived. The content in this section may not be current or apply to all situations. In addition, forum questions and responses include information and content that has been generated by epilepsy community members. This content is not moderated. The information on these pages should not be substituted for medical advice from a healthcare provider. Experiences with epilepsy can vary greatly on an individual basis. Please contact your doctor or medical team if you have any questions about your situation. For more information, learn about epilepsy or visit our resources section.
Epilepsy and Dream Job
Tue, 06/21/2016 - 15:05Topic: Teens Speak Up!
Hi guys, I am 18 years old and have controlled epilepsy and have been seizure free for a year by taking medication. Unfortunately, just having this condition has been nothing but a hindrance to me and my dream careers. Ever since I was a child, I had dreams of joining the U.S. army and as everyone knows, epilepsy is an immediate dis-qualifier. When this career was taken from me, I decided to go to college and get a degree. I attended Shepherd University for 1 year and needless to say I hated it. The classes were not too difficult rather the motions I would go through everyday seemed tedious and felt undesirable. I am a guy that wants to get out with the community, not sit in class all day reading books that have nothing to do with what I want to do. In addition, I also want to push myself physically to my limits because it is a hobby of mine. After realizing a desk job was not for me and college was not cutting it at the moment, I finished my first year with a 3.7 GPA and immediately sent an application in to the state troopers. I attended orientation, then passed my written exam with a 91. Then I took a physical test performing the 1.5 mile run in 10 minutes flat, 60 push ups in one minute, and 50 sit ups in one minute. Finally, I spent 3 days formatting all the official paperwork and documentation and in return I received an email about 3 weeks later saying that it was in my best interest not to pursue a career with the state troopers without them explaining why. However, I know why and its because of my controlled epilepsy. All my attempts at finding a dream job whether it be with the army or the state troopers have been shot down. I am honestly stuck. I will be attending a community college to get my associates degree in business administration but I have no choice on where to go with my life afterwards. I am a volunteer firefighter racking up experience in the first responder industry in hopes of becoming a police officer but I fear that my epilepsy may prevent me from being what I want to be as it as already done so.
That's one of the things that
Submitted by Kevin from Calgary on Thu, 2017-03-09 - 01:08
That's one of the things that suck about controlled seizures. I have controlled seizures too. It's been 1.5 years for me. Here's the hard facts according to these people:Either you do or do not have epilepsy. There is no grey; it's all black and white. You MIGHT have a seizure when someone needs your help. What if your police partner was being shot at and you had a seizure and he died because you were unable to help him/her? Most police officers probably wouldn't want a partner with epilepsy. What if.....What if you were in the army and under fire and you had a seizure? Would the rest of the guys/girls have to stop what they were focusing on and take care of you? What if....What if you thought about being a high school teacher and coached one of the teams? Stop looking at what you can't do and start looking at what you CAN do. You can do LOTS. Good luck and I wish you well,Kevin