Testimonial #13 - Océane, 28 years old

Hello all, I am Océane 💜.

Epilepsy entered my life suddenly, a few months after I turned 27, when I stopped taking the pill as part of a desire to have children.
No family history, no tumour, no stroke... nothing to indicate such a reversal. And yet the disease installed itself.

It is an invisible disease, but so present in everyday life. One day things go well, and the next day everything collapses: unpredictable, exhausting - both physically due to medication and mentally.

Living with epilepsy means learning to accept that anything can happen at any time. It's wanting to live life to the fullest, but also having to constantly consider limitations: making sure you get enough sleep, faithfully taking your medication, controlling stress and emotions... A daily effort to avoid a seizure, hospitalisation or the judgement of others.

And despite all these efforts, sometimes the disease comes back unexpectedly. Like a sudden thunderstorm, or like a trip of a few minutes that you have no memory of. Sometimes it erases part of the memory, of words or phrases... leaving a void that is hard to fill.

On top of that comes the curiosity, the lack of understanding, sometimes the fear or judgement of others. This is hard to bear, especially when you try to explain, reassure, but some still remain in denial. Yet communication is essential so that we are better understood and better supported.

It is now a year and a half that I have been living with this reality. It's not easy, but life goes on. So I choose courage every day. ✨✌🏻🟣

Much courage to all who are fighting the same battle. You are not alone. 💜