National Epilepsy Awareness Month
November is National Epilepsy Awareness Month. I have had epilepsy since September 1984. In the last few years, my own awareness has increased. I have become involved with the Epilepsy Foundation of America and the Epilepsy Foundation of Northern California. Earlier this year, I met Tony Coelho when he was in San Francisco. Tony, who also has epilepsy, is considered the early author and sponsor of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Tony and I are also from the San Joaquin Valley.
Two months later, I photographed Tony at the 5th Annual National Walk for Epilepsy. You can access the gallery by clicking the photo.
Sometimes these awareness months seem a little silly, but then I think about my own experience. For about twenty years, I was afraid to admit to myself that I had epilepsy.
I was not even self aware.
Now I have a voice.