Welcome to My Epileptic Life
Exploring epilepsy through personal narratives, fiction, and poetry.
I'm Erika. Welcome to my life.
Too often, disability is seen through a narrow lens—like the image of a wheelchair. Though disability comes in many forms, you can’t be “a little bit” disabled. I’ve lived with epilepsy, cerebral palsy, and a learning disability, and while my leg brace may be visible, much of my experience is not. Growing up, my parents told me I could do anything—it might just take longer. That mindset shaped me as an artist and poet. I love poetry because there’s no wrong way to write it. Art, like identity, exists in many shades. It teaches, surprises, and gives voice to those who can’t always speak for themselves.
Book Collection
Author's Journey
I was born epileptic. I have minor cerebral palsy, and a learning disability. My first seizure was at 19 months.
I remember being aware that I was taking medication when I was five. I took a liquid cherry-like Phenobarbital before school, after school, and right before bed. A children’s version of Manischewitz . I assumed everyone was like that. I still ran around and played soccer with my friends. I felt like a 70-year-old for the first 26 years of my life.
Finally at 50, I was sick of looking over my shoulder. I decided to speak to my neurologist at UCLA. I refused to do another medication change- I wanted to do something more radical. I was given two options. Deep Brain Stimulation – putting leads in my brain, but they could corrode. The other- brain surgery.
I took the one without the corroding leads. It took six months of recovery, but I’ve been seizure free for four years now.
Resources
Resources for the Disabled Community
Epilepsy Foundation Los Angeles is a champion and voice for individuals and families living with epilepsy. We enhance lives by offering programs that foster a supportive community, increasing access to specialty treatment and resources, and generating greater awareness and understanding of epilepsy.
Cerebral Palsy Guide provides free educational materials, financial resources, and support options for families affected by this condition and other birth injuries.
The world's preeminent association of health care professionals and scientists working toward a world where no person's life is limited by epilepsy
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