My Wednesday mornings are usually pretty simple:wake a little later than usual, have coffee, and eat a little something as I take my prescriptions. I take a medication that prevents cold sores and one that prevents my epileptic symptoms from happening.

I mention these personal things not to garner pity, but rather to normalize and make approachable some health issues that may be more common than you think. I think it’s nicer than speaking poorly in an uneducated way about illnesses that are perhaps unseen most times.

Interesting to note, in my opinion, that the stuff I take medicine for are two issues that don’t rear their ugly heads in public except when the biggies happen.

Some time ago, I was at Target with my husband. We had been looking forward to our “errand date” all day. We always have a blast with each other, wherever we go, and it has been a loooong day for both of us.

So, we sauntered in to the shop, and began to peruse the shelves. Now mind you, I had been feeling off all day. I had been experiencing auras off and on, which are warnings that seizures may occur shortly. But they never came! Instead I got that tummy turning roller coaster feeling in my head all day, and it stepped up big time once we walked through those automatic sliding doors at the bullseye store. Of course I hadn’t said anything to my hubs yet because I thought “I can do this! Nothings gonna stop me!!!” (I have since changed my attitude and have made it a habit to speak up when feeling poorly.)

I slowly started getting shorter and shorter steps, feeling vaguely sick, and my pace rivaled that of a snail. I squeezed my husband’s rather large hand and said “honey, I’m feeling kinda funny.”

Right away he got me to the car and drove me home as I hit the proverbial wall of exhaustion that followed. I didn’t seize in public, not this time, not yet, but that was close. I don’t look forward to that possibility. But I know it might happen one day.

Anyway, I’ve found that this illness has given me a very healthy perspective of people with disabilities and potential hidden health issues. I hope that I can use these newfound personal experiences as fodder to be further kind to others and always be one of the helpful people!