Tips on how to focus on the positive to make the negative seem more manageable—even as your family deals with the ups and downs of a diagnosis of epilepsy.
1. Maximize Your Child’s Strengths
Presented by Jessica Keenan Smith
Founder, Living Well With Epilepsy
2. Living with Epilepsy
Today we’re going to talk about how focusing on
the positive can make the negative seem more
manageable—even as your family deals with the ups
and downs of a diagnosis of epilepsy.
3. What’s the goal?
I hope you leave this session with some practical
tools to make the best out of each day - whatever
that may bring.
4. My Story
• Febrile seizures as a toddler.
• Grand mal or tonic clonic seizures at the onset of
puberty.
• Diagnosed at 12, between 7th and 8th grade.
• Found a combination of meds after a few years.
• Finished HS, College in NYC, Married and had a
child.
• Of course there’s more but we’ll talk about that
later.
5. Start by knowing your strengths
Examples of strengths:
Creativity
Persistence
Fairness
Curiosity
Empathy
Team-player
Love of Learning
Forgiving
Gratitude
Open-mindedness
Humility
Hope
Perspective
Prudence
Humor
Bravery
Kindness
Leadership
Zest
Social Awareness
Honesty
7. Redefine Normal
What is normal in your household?
- Medicine three times a day
- Naps at in the middle of the day
- Extra help with homework
- Mood swings
- Seizures at night
8. Find the Fun
Focus on the joys and accomplishments of today
– a smile
– contagious laughter
– Strengths of your child
Nurture your sense of humor
– Laugh out loud when you can
– Find the ridiculous in the situation
9. Find support
• Join a support group,
• Make friends with families facing a similar
situation.
• Find friends who are good listeners
• Be prepared to leave some friends behind
who can't relate.
10. Welcome Feelings, too
(sounds corny, I know)
• Your feelings are valid, so go easy on yourself.
• Find a way to release your anger, sadness, jealousy and
happiness -- guilt-free.
• Embrace the crazy, let the anger free.
11. Be Your Child’s Best Advocate
• Learn about your child's unique health, financial and educational
needs.
• Explore and prepare for what is/is not available.
• Ask for help.
• Don't be afraid to reach out to friends and family for support.
• Research and ask questions
• Schedule and spend special time with siblings as best you can.
12. Live Life
in Moderation
This is a tough one.
But if you get the hang of it early it makes
things easier later on.
17. Talk about it
• Tell friends and family about epilepsy - they may turn out
to be your greatest support.
• Answer questions when others have concerns, it opens the
door to a new level of comfort.
18. Using and
Improving Strengths
• Remember your strengths when dealing with difficulties
• Create a scrapbook or journal as a reminder of strengths
• Create your own mantra - for a while mine was:
“Embrace the crazy, let the anger free”
• Set goals - Get to bed by 10 pm
• Celebrate strengths - pat yourself on the back, you deserve it!
19. Web Resources
• Epilepsy Foundation
• Epilepsy.com
• CUREepilepsy.com
• EpilepsyInstitute.org
• EpilepsyOutreach.org
• TalkAboutIt.org
• LivingWellWithEpilepsy.com