ALLANY MUNIZ - MY JOURNEY BEGAN AT 14 YEARS OLD, ONLY A COUPLE OF WEEKS BEFORE FRESHMAN YEAR

My journey began at 14 years old, only a couple weeks before my freshman year in high school. I was in line getting books with my mother and next thing I know I’m staring at doctor. The words turned into a blur of melting wax. I don’t remember what he said but I remember him saying you may have epilepsy. My mother and I had no idea what it was so while I shut down in confusion, my mother did all the research.

After the second seizure, when it became official, that’s when it hit the fan. I’ll tell you being an introvert and an epileptic isn’t for the weak. I attend to worry that my epilepsy anxiety and the “fun” side effects may be too confusing to someone who does not understand or experience epilepsy themselves. The worst part about epilepsy is no matter how many precautionary steps you take, you’ll still have a seizure.

While I’m more vocal about my feelings and concerns, I continue to feel embarrassed whenever I am having one of those emotional days and prefer not to bother anyone.  At work everyone assumes Im a hard worker, while in reality I’m suffering. Most of the time I work through a headaches/migraines, anxiety and am worried about having a seizure, and brain fog (this caused some people to assumed I was slow) on top of all the other things going on in my life.

I decided Diary of an Epileptic YouTube channel in 2020 after fracturing my ankle & had nothing else to do. I thought about doing it for a while, it’s not knowing where to start. After the YouTube channel, I started an instagram account. I eventually got a TikTok year & a half ago after saying I never will get TikTok haha. I’m thankful for being to spread awareness in my own creative way.

For those who are going through an identity moment (if you know you know): Epilepsy is what you have, it’s not who you are. You are more than what people have told you so go prove them wrong & see them cry as you are on top smiling.