New - Brainstorming: Should we be offended?
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UPDATED: Sat, 08/02/2008 - 4:03pm
E_Loner
WHAT OFFENDS THE E COMMUNITY
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What words offend people with E. I myself laugh when I come across the thought of being offended if someone says, "Brainstorm." I have been an E for 42 years now and thinking of being offended make me laugh. When I was younger I corrected people if they called my seizure a fit, I simply told them a got a spanking for a fit not a seizure. Those I corrected were a doctor and uncles. Will someone please explain how the word "Brainstorm" is offensive to E's. It blows my mind. I guess I offended myself when in college I told my friends, "I did the shake and bake." The shake of course was for the seizure movement and the bake was for my brain and the electric waves. I have always said those who made fun of me behind my back, "My epilepsy is their problem, not mine." I guess I am missing something, but then again I only have 3/4 of a brain left.
By E_Loner at Sat, 08/02/2008 - 4:03pm | 203 views | 10 comments
Recent Comments on this Discussion
Hi all,
I've accepted my E as a part of who I am- a male who wears glasses and a moustache and has E. When someone attempts to offend me, I use it as an opportunity to educate them and satisfy their puzzlement. It seems being uninformed is a cause of fear for many folks. Seeing I'm just another guy with a medical disability makes them courious. It's a way to make new friends. And to find others who have E but are reluctant to come out about it. Give it shot! I hope it works for you too.
marko
I've lived with epilepsy all of my 69 1/2 years and growing up with it learned two myths that people during my life had about it. They asserted (1) that epilepsy was contageous, and (2) that people with epilepsy were inhibited with the devil. Both of those items you know aren't true.
The point is "that with epilepsy and any othe major diasability, we have to hold our heads high and not be offended by such comments." Because if we let it hurt or anger us, it will raise our anxiety and could even create the ability to cause a seizure.
Constructively try to correct the persons understanding of this and you'll help them, as well as yourself.
I agree with you! As I had asked on this "Why" It seems now days so many look for such things! This the way I would handle someone calling mine a fit. I would explain," It was a seizure. If I was throwing a fit everyone would know it. " I would then drop it, unless they wanted to push it. It is such a shame that some are acting like this. And they really do not see what damage this can do. Here is my example
Some parents of childern with a disability, started to advocate for others childern. We taught ourselves about the school system laws, what was avalible to them and on and on. We charged noone anything, we went out of our way to help others. My last one was to assist another advocate. We had meet with the family once before and found out basicly what was happening and what was needed to help this child. The child had a mild case of Down Syndrom. There were 8 people in the meeting. Everything was set up and just need to sign the arrangment. Then The parent said" The word "down" was not allowed to be said in the school." (No, this is not a joke) " Since the child may think they were making fun of them" This had not been told to any of us before. The meeting had to be stop there. (It was solved later) That day many in the meeting decided that was their last. And I am not speaking of just the advocates. What a shame!
So such nonsense really makes me want to throw a fit!! Thanks for listening
What offends me, are the same things you just said, I'm not having a 'fit', I'm having a seizure. If someone calls it a fit, I explain what I know about Epilepsy to the point that it drives them crazy and they know better that what I have is Epilepsy. If I annoy them, tough. They'll know the next time not to call my Epilepsy fits.
Diana
I just want to say why do you refer to yourself as an E person rather than "I'm Diana who have had epilepsy my whole life and really get annoyed at the public stupidity." You are a person first. that is my opinion. i never heard it referred to the E community. although it is probably a shortcut.i too felt angry when they used the word "fit" by dr.s or teachers, or family members.the worst one that really offended me just recently after advocating for the disabled and all was a teacher who made a remark a few years ago "people like you should not be allowed in public ". Now remember I'm 50 now so that is not long ago. Talk about the dark ages. Makes you think how far have we really gone in people's mentally? She is not much older than i. Now that is truely scary.
peace R.C.
hi
" i,M RICK AND I,M AN ALCOHOLIC" .....oops wrong meeting , lol
Sorry just a clip from "yes their needs to be humor and without being doctor phil without a license I can and have always said that the person(s) watching, helping etc. have the hard part.
I have to say this is about adults finding humor with and about themselves so I will leave out the kids because we know they are the cruelest and do not have the means yet to understand how hurtfull simple comments can be.
Ie ... I,m redheaded ,have a funny last name , was always the new kid , am skinny , etc etc, I know the worst on that subject.
I,m 45 and have had gmals and all the others for over 15 yrs . and am now on ssdi from it and the probs that go with it. ???
I can honestly say I NEVER had a prob with this for most of those yrs and was so hyper and busy that it was not a set back ? I find now that is rare. I feel my humor and just facts are facts way of approaching "a seizure disorder" have been my difference.
I still do not call the E but a sz. disorder. ?? habit I guess. The folks that have been offended by humor with this are the ones without it and even the doctors don,t get it .
I can say that the word fits or possesed or faking it (been there) might not get the same reaction as "shake and bake" lol. but then again I painted my house pink and purple and have 15 yrs soberiety/drug free. lol
to each his/her own but i feel lucky very lucky go push some wheel chairs around a v.a. or old folks home (oops) retirement community for a while and come down a notch. sorry the rambling is a direct result of brainstorming I guess. Rick
Hmmm. My work collegues (I work in theatre) did nothing but take the piss with me. I got comment such as "ya better not have a seizure tonight cause I sure sure as hell am not missing LOST, I shall just stick you outside with a sign around your neck" or "it would really be kinder to just put you down"... but those are fine. Those are the same people who are there for me no matter what (even if LOST is on...) and it's much easier to laugh about it.
The only time I was really hurt is when a new guy started and we were just chatting and he suddenly whispers "so which one is the girl who is constantly collapsing and fitting"? I just wanted to cry. Turns out some jerk (who thankfully does not work there anymore) had told him about everyone at work and that's how I was described... thanks for that.
The thing that offends me most is reading from the paper that someone with epilepsy has been brutaly beaten by first responders then jailed.ide say more though i believe i was banned for a conversation such as this.
some can have it happen once and let things slide as a teen or young adult while trying to build a life out of the scraplife they were diagnosed from where careers become very dangerous for those with E.it can happen someones entire lifespan!
sure seemed like it took me away from community colleges and other goals in life where i havent had much time to rebuild.its happened four times in my life and i promise if they keep getting away with such things,then there wouldnt be room for generic drugs as most people would be too disgusted at life itself to take the regular drugs.
folks can say its not the first responders fault all they want untill the one arguing with epilepsy against first responders being responsible is smacked,punched,kicked around while having seizures and awoken behind bars.
so what would offend you the most if seizures were severe and your falling behind in school thanks to too many courtdates,hospital visits due to injuries,etc?YOU TELL US!ITS ELECTION TIME HERE!
somethin tells me somebody old is commin back durring or after electionday.hmm,who would that be?
I become offended when I'm out with someone and someone else sees my med id they start talking to the other person as if I'm not there or unable to understand anything.