- Faith
- Mental Health
My name is Jessica. I have fought and battled seizures all my life. It took years of hard work to learn to live with my illness. I guess my hardest times were in school and during my marriage; I have dealt with bullies and abuse, and I have had bad relationships due to my illness because people thought it was funny or that they could just own me, like I wouldn’t do anything. My happiest times would be growing up and learning to do everything by myself without needing someone to help. I have always been determined to live a normal life, and so far I have. I have four beautiful children, and I live on my own. Today I support my kids. I have always taught them what to do if I have a seizure. Most of the time I know when one is going to hit, so I am able to get to a safe place. Learning to live with my seizures was hard to do, but I knew I couldn’t just feel helpless and let them take over my life, so I worked hard to learn to live with them. I have many scars due to the events that have happened; I don’t allow them to stop me, either. I don’t see them as bad, and no one ever should because the right people in your life won’t mind them and will love you no matter what. Everything I have been through in my life and every scar is a reminder that I am strong and I am a survivor. So my advice is, no matter what your illness is, NEVER GIVE UP—keep moving forward. Never allow anyone to tell you that you can’t do it, because you can as long as you’re willing to. GIVE YOURSELF A CHANCE. Never lose faith and hope; never give up on your strong will. Don’t let your illness define you.