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THE CHAMPION, THURSDAY, THURSDAY, JAN. 2 - 8, 2020 • PAGE 20
Decatur woman says those living with
epilepsy need support, understanding
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Lauren Gray was first diagnosed with epilepsy when she was a year old.
BY KATHY MITCHELL
FREELANCE REPORTER
Epileptic seizures
in reality often are quite
different from those
depicted in movie and
television dramas, according
to Decatur resident Lauren
Gray, who was first
diagnosed with epilepsy
when she was a year old.
“People around them may
not even realize the person
is having a seizure. Not
all seizures are chronic
seizures; some are quite
mild,” she said.
Epilepsy can be
invisible to those around
someone with the condition,
according to Gray, but
that doesn’t mean it’s not
a major challenge. For
her, it has meant making
adjustments such as not
driving a car. “I drove for
a year when I was about
18, but I decided it was
best to give it up. I now use
public transportation. Being
independent is important to
me so I’m glad that I can
take public transportation
wherever I need to go,” she
said.
According to the
Epilepsy Foundation,
epilepsy is the fourth most
common neurological
disorder and affects people
of all ages. Characterized
by unpredictable seizures,
epilepsy can cause other
health problems, the
foundation notes on its
website. It is a spectrum
condition with a wide range
of seizure types and control
varying from person-to-
person.
Gray, who has to some
extent controlled her
condition with medication
and brain surgery over
the years, explained that
epilepsy symptoms vary,
and those she experiences
are not uncommon. “I still
have seizures and they
have affected my life over
the years. I tried college a
couple of times and I’ve
tried working full time,
but I finally realized I have
to focus on taking care of
myself,” she said.
One of the most
disheartening aspects of
living with epilepsy can be
the effect on relationships,
Gray said. “I have lost
friends. I think some were
afraid that I might have a
seizure and they wouldn’t
know what to do, so they
began avoiding spending
time with me. People should
know that all people need a
support system, especially
those with ongoing health
issues.”
She suggested that those
with friends or relatives with
epilepsy learn basic facts
about the disorder. “It never
hurts to learn something
new.” Gray agrees with
recommendations from the
Epilepsy Foundation as to
how those present should
respond to a chronic seizure.
“First clear the area; give
the person some space.
Lay the person on his side
and loosen his clothing, if
necessary. If the seizure
lasts more than five minutes,
call 911, but normally the
event will be over quickly.”
Those coming out of
the seizure are likely to
be disoriented, according
to Gray. “They likely will
not know where they are
or what’s going on. It’s
important to make the
person comfortable and to
be helpful and reassuring,”
she said.
In addition to knowing
what to do, those present at
a seizure also should know
what not to do. “There are
a lot of myths about what
to do that are completely
wrong. Do not place a
spoon or anything else in
the person’s mouth. In fact,
don’t go near the person’s
mouth; they may bite down
on anything placed in their
mouth, harming themselves
or the person trying to help,”
Gray continued, echoing
information disseminated by
the Epilepsy Foundation.
One of the strangest,
but completely incorrect,
widely repeated pieces
of information is that it’s
necessary to keep the
person from swallowing
his tongue. “That’s literally
impossible,” Gray said. “I
don’t know how that bit
of bad information got out
there.”
While some people have
distanced themselves from
her because of epilepsy,
Gray said, others have
been wonderful. “As I was
growing up, my mother
was my rock. She was right
there beside me no matter
what was going on. I have
a boyfriend that I’ve been
with for five years. He has
been loving and supportive
every step of the way,” she
said.
Gray works part
time and volunteers with
hospitals, community
events, blood drives and
other places. “When you
have a chronic condition
the best way not to focus
on it is to find something
you’re passionate about,”
Gray advised. “I’m
passionate about serving
the community; that’s why
volunteering is so important
to me.”
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