Friday, April 23, 2010

Dominatin' Diagnosis

First off, let me say this organization rocks... I've never see anything like it in the neuro-support world. Most stuff out there is WAY too clinical, depressing, and just no fun. This organization is all about living big, despite pesky neuro baggage!

My friend Kyle contacted me a few months ago, asking me if I wanted to grab a cup of coffee. Being a full on 'Joe addict', I naturally took him up on it. That's when he threw out his situation (you all know the story). Knowing Kyle and his 'get at it' dogma, he wasn't gonna let this neuro diagnosis sway his spirit. After an in depth conversation, with ideas flowing, the seeds of Outdoor Mindset were planted.

Kyle thought I might be interested since I was in the non-profit management world in my previous life. He also knew I had uncontrolled epilepsy.

Long story short (bear with me), when I was twelve, I dropped in front of my friend while on summer vacation, and freaked him out pretty good. Turns out it was a grand mal seizure. Lots of tests, and visits with a bald neuro doc later, I was tagged epileptic. Hmm, epilepsy. That's interesting, I thought. So, I got put on some meds and life went on as normal. I eventually grew out of the spastic grand mals, and have had partial complex seizures ever since. I'm now 38.

Thankfully, 95% of my stuff goes on in my sleep. The other 5% have occurred anywhere. On the ice during hockey games, on a glacier in Alaska, or watching TV with friends. They have occurred pretty regularly for the past 26 years. My stance on my diagnosis has always been 'I have epilepsy, no big deal'. Over the years, docs have tried several meds to control my seizures, but they're persistent little buggers. I've failed three meds, and am now on a high dose 'cocktail' of two newer meds- still having weekly seizures. None the less, I've been an avid athlete all my life, and have been adventuring in the mountains on all sorts of toys since 1996.

This status quo changed a bit this past fall when my doc leveled with me. For the first time, the word 'brain surgery' reared its ugly head!

Stay tuned...

3 comments:

  1. Kyle's strength and your perspective on life with epilepsy are truly inspiring. It's fascinating how life's struggles can inspire great projects like Outdoor Mindset. Finding community and purpose can make all the difference for people on similar paths, even if they are pursuing goals such as online dissertation help.

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  2. Wow, this is such an inspiring story! I love how you turned a tough situation into something empowering and full of life. It’s refreshing to see outdoor christmas light installers naples an organization that focuses on positivity, adventure, and community rather than just the clinical side.

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  3. Health-related experiences can be difficult to navigate, especially when symptoms, diagnoses, and personal concerns overlap. Sharing an experience can help people feel less alone, but it is important to approach medical information carefully and rely on qualified professionals for individual advice. Open conversations can encourage people to ask questions and seek the support they need. Personal style, on the other hand, offers a simple way to express individuality, whether through the bright 12 Mm Moissanite Iced out Cuban Link Chain in Silver or the bold 15 Mm Moissanite Cuban Link Chain in Silver.

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