Here are some important things to know before reading:
1. I have epilepsy.
2. The things I write are about MY epilepsy. Everyone's seizures and experiences are different, so don't think this is universal. Do your homework and don't assume everyone is the same.
3. The first aid is accurate (I'm also an EMT as well) and the thoughts expressed in my stories are accurate (for me personally. Again, everyone is different).
4. I write because I need to compartmentalize my feelings and sensations. My writing is for me. I share because a) it validates my experience and b) people have expressed interest in it.
5. The plot lines I have are what the ideal conditions would be for me–people say and do the right things at all the right times, are kind, and are supportive. This makes it a bit romanticized.
6. Pretty much all the things that happen in the plot have happened to me.
7. My stories have some graphic imagery because that's reality. Seizures aren't cute. They aren't fun. I'm not going to leave it out because that is completely romanticizing epilepsy in a way I don't find appropriate or helpful. (If it is too graphic for you, you can skip right over it, that's just fine).
8. I make jokes about epilepsy because I do in real life too. Sometimes I'll say humorous things after seizures too alleviate awkwardness. Just today (4/30/18) I had a seizure and told the EMTs as they were leaving "thanks for hanging out" because I was really uncomfortable and didn't know what else to do. Sometimes I make jokes because if I take myself too seriously, I would crawl into a hole and cry and I don't want to live like that. Sometimes I make jokes so people feel more comfortable talking to me. There's a lot of different reasons.
9. Not everyone has these opinions on humor so always be considerate of people's feelings. Don't be a douche bag.
10. Epilepsy itself is not a joke. It's life-threatening and making jokes about a person or being insensitive is not okay. Not cool bro.
11. I have no control over my epilepsy. I DO have control over how I write, talk, and educate about epilepsy. Please don't try to take that away from, it's all I have.
12. If you have a "seizure kink" then fuck the fuck off. That is absolutely disgusting. Get the fuck away from me, my account, and my writing–you have no place here.