My name is Amee and I am a thriving 43 yr living with and managing epilepsy. I have been married for 18 years and have 2 amazing children. I consider myself truly blessed. Although I was diagnosed at the young age of 8, I didn't start to talk about my personal journey with epilepsy until this past year.
You may wonder, Why? The answer is simple: the stigma, fear of judgement and not feeling like a burden to others come to the top of my reasons. You may ask, why are you sharing this story now?
I recently did an elective 5 day EEG stay at the hospital. I had never done that before and 5 days is a long time, I sure wasnt going to be on vacation.
I needed more information from others who had gone thru the same thing, I needed support from my extended family and friends (who were also unaware of my condition). But most importantly, I was finally forced to come to terms with it myself. The beginning of 2024 did not start out at its finest, and pretending like it was was more challenging then the actual condition itself.
Talking about it and sharing my journey allowed my support system to come together and help others who may be going thru something similar along the way. Since that time, I am happy to say, my support system stands besides me stronger then ever, I have had multiple opportunites to educate and advocate for the epilepsy and mental communities.
As an Asian American women with 2 children, it was very important to me to finally live by example, to show imperfections and flaws as being part of who we are and creating open and safe spaces to have conversations around mental health in a productive and non judgemental way. I have continued to work in healthcare for the last 20 years, and thankfully that has not had to have changed. My kids are thriving and I am truly grateful.
After spending the past year working with a therapist and a coach, I have gone on to receive my life coaching certification in order to provide that same support to others who may be struggling in silence.
I am so lucky to live the life I have been granted and everyday is a gift.