Probably one of the most challenging dilemmas facing people with epilepsy and parents of children with epilepsy are the questions of "if," "who," "when," and "how" to tell others about the epilepsy. There is fear of stigma and rejection. Yet there remains the need to reveal seizures before they reveal themselves without one's control. Telling…

In this article, the author relates her and her husband's dilemma in letting their child Hannah live in a residential home. Hannah has electrical status epilecticus during sleep (ESES), or Tassinaris syndrome, a seizure disorder that emerges in the mid- to late-toddler years. Individuals with Tassinaris syndrome often display the sudden onset of…

This article presents an interview on Kevin Eggers, a 19-year-old college student from Seattle, Washington, who was diagnosed with epilepsy but had not let it prevent him from accomplishing his goals. As an Epilepsy Advocate, Kevin helps other teens and young adults realize that having a disability does not mean not living a normal and fulfilling…

This article presents the results of a study which solicited input from parents of children with Angelman syndrome (AS) regarding the schooling and education of their children. This is a group whose views about these issues have not been widely explored. The first reports of AS in the United States were in the early 1980's. Because it is a…

The Washington, D.C. suburb of McLean, Virginia is one of the most affluent areas in the United States. It is also a community of rare and remarkable power, where politics, military might, and corporate interests converge to create the perfect environment for successful non-profit efforts. On any given day of the week, there is a charity ball or…