For a quick introduction, my name is Gregory and I am 38 years old. I grew up on Long Island, NY. I studied Mathematics, Arts and Science at Hamilton College in Clinton, NY and graduated with my BA. I had dreams of being a doctor and joining the medical field. I did get there partially, as I was accepted into Dental School in Buffalo, NY, but that goal was interrupted by my epilepsy.
After Dental School I managed to find odd jobs and then open up my own business on Long Island. I had a successful little deli/coffee shop which eventually closed as my epilepsy became more severe. After my business closed, I moved across the country to escape from my feelings of failure and embarrassment. However, what I learned was that you cannot escape epilepsy...you need a support system. The best "support" which came out of that move was my dog, Phoebe - check out her page!
After returning home and seeking medical advice from many neurologists over the course 15 years, I was finally diagnosed with front left temporal lobe epilepsy, by a doctor who cared. My doctor was not quick to "just diagnose" but rather listened to me than "assume". On my worst day I would have up to 5 tonic clonic seizures with up to 10 petit mals. Now two brain surgeries later and years of medicinal treatment, I am well. I have been seizure free for almost 3 years and now, with my medicine lowered significantly, I am able to share a different perspective of my life with epilepsy. As I write this I realize much of my difficulty was not the seizures themselves, but rather the life in between those seizures. If you feel the same, know someone who could benefit from a discussion..let's talk!
