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Rachel Renée Russell

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Dork Diaries Book 14

Dork Diaries

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Ask Brandon

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Dollarless Dork
Salon Brianna

March 24, 2018

I HAVE EPILEPSY!

Hi Brandon,
I have epilepsy, and sometimes I get seizures during class. Everyone stares at me and it makes me feel really weird. I don’t think a guy will ever ask me to the dance because of it. All my friends have someone to go with. What do I do? Please respond – it took a lot of courage to write this!

Overwhelmed By Epilepsy

Hey Overwhelmed By Epilepsy,

Thanks for writing in. You’re right, it takes a lot of courage to put your problems out there and open yourself up to a stranger’s advice. (Plus all the advice in the comments, too, which is usually super helpful but can also be a little overwhelming, I’m sure!)

So, epilepsy. I kind of knew what it was already, but I still did some research since I wanted to give the best advice I could. Epilepsy is a neurological condition, meaning it is something that happens in the brain, and it causes seizures.

During a seizure, a person’s muscles may go completely limp OR completely stiff. It includes jerking around in involuntary movements that involve the whole body, or it may be a much smaller twitch. Sometimes during an epileptic seizure, the person goes kind of blank and stares in one direction, without responding to anything around them. There are a variety of different seizures, but no matter what kind you have, they’re going to make you feel unusual.

So, one of the first things that came to mind when I read your letter was a book called FORGET ME NOT by Ellie Terry. It just came out a couple years ago, so it should be easy to find at the library or a bookstore. It’s about a girl with Tourette Syndrome, which is totally different from epilepsy, but it does involve making movements and noises you can’t control.

In the book, the main character is at a new school and trying to figure out how to fit in and make friends, even though she’s got this thing that makes her different that she completely can’t control. Now, I don’t want to tell you how the story ends (spoiler alert, right? 🙂 ), but I really suggest you read it.

The thing is, epilepsy doesn’t define who you are. But it IS a part of you. I’m sure your family understands that and accepts the epilepsy as a normal part of your life. Friends and even guys can and will do the same. Anyone who thinks a medical condition is a reason not to be your friend—or to ask you to the dance—doesn’t sound like a very good friend anyway.

It’s totally up to you how much you want to talk about it, and I don’t know how comfortable you are. But it seems like it might help if you were really up front about it with your friends. Tell them it’s a part of you that’s a lot like wearing glasses or having a peanut allergy. It just IS and it’s no big deal, but sometimes a seizure might happen, and when it does, here’s what to expect, and here’s what they should or shouldn’t do to help, etc. Make it very matter-of-fact. Because it IS a fact of your life. And then, instead of assuming people think you’re weird, you’re helping them to understand what’s going on. They’ll feel trusted and you’ll feel supported. Everybody wins!

As for the dance, this is what I would tell anyone who is concerned because they don’t have someone to go with: Go anyway! Go with friends! Or ask someone yourself! Or do something fun outside of the dance with other friends who aren’t going. I’m SURE you’re not the only one. Make your own fun! You don’t have to sit around waiting for a boy to ask you.

(Seriously, don’t wait around for boys. Not because no one will ever be interested – I’m sure they will – but just because you do you on your own time. The boys will catch up, but you’ll have a lot more fun if you’re not just waiting around.)

I hope that helps!

Do you have something that makes you feel weird from your friends and classmates? How do you deal with it? Tell us in the comments!

Category: Ask Brandon Tags: self-esteemnikki

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Comments

  1. Anonymous says

    April 16, 2018 at 7:23 am

    People are unique,these are the things that make us special plus these are also things we can’t control anyways who cares if nobody asks you??? You can do allllllot of other stuff on earth

  2. LIP GLOSS TAFFY LOVER says

    April 15, 2018 at 1:33 pm

    because im addcted to lip balms,glosses and sticks like i buy so much lip stuff and eveery minute i put one on cause the taste so much (the soda balms and lollipop balms) and the others make me feel Hawt ,but im self consious because they stare and gossip about me T00! so im dealling with the probelm half too

  3. Dorkicorn says

    April 15, 2018 at 12:55 pm

    Don’t worry u will find a date for the dance

  4. Silver says

    April 15, 2018 at 12:23 pm

    It’s not what’s on the outside but on the inside that matters ( although you are very pretty on the outside as well ). I’m shocked that no-one’s asked you to that dance and if all those boys see is someone who can’t help having a seizure sometimes then they need their eyes checked big time!

  5. be you says

    April 15, 2018 at 7:46 am

    be your self, girl

  6. XX, a friendly but lonely DORK says

    April 15, 2018 at 6:43 am

    Y outhful but no-one can be you-er than YOU!!
    O dd but awesome!!
    U nderstanding and loyal!!

    Hope these words help you shine in class and help you ignore that noise inside your head
    “)

  7. #ColorfulBalloons says

    April 15, 2018 at 2:14 am

    People Always Stare At Me Whenever Bullies Make Me Cry. Likee, I Cry, And EVERYONE Stares. I just feel weird. I know you probably think I’m a crybaby now, but how would YOU feel if someone made fun of you for not knowing any ‘cool’ songs off by heart? The staring just makes it worse. I feel like a LOSER

  8. Single4life says

    April 14, 2018 at 11:24 pm

    I’m sure you’ll find the right person soon.

  9. #wants #to help #the world says

    April 14, 2018 at 10:55 pm

    Poor thing. So what if people look at you weird they just don’t understand. But please if you have my already talk to the teacher about it they should understand. Stay strong hun.

  10. #Clueless says

    April 14, 2018 at 8:22 pm

    To be honest I dont know what epilepsy is

  11. Dorky cat says

    April 13, 2018 at 7:50 pm

    It’s ok of you don’t have a dance you’ll always have a prom

  12. dOGLOVER says

    April 13, 2018 at 3:17 pm

    sOMETIMES I FEEL EMBARRASED TOO.

  13. #1 Dork says

    April 13, 2018 at 2:42 pm

    Please don’t worry, you’re unique in your own way!

  14. #LILSTAP says

    April 13, 2018 at 5:12 am

    Dude you should JUST BE YOURSELF!! It would be hard but you’ll get through it trust me.

    • JJCAT101 says

      April 15, 2018 at 2:03 pm

      Yeah!

  15. You go girl says

    April 12, 2018 at 10:26 pm

    Do not rely your life on a boy! You do you and be INDEPENDENT!

  16. Brandkiki SHIP says

    April 11, 2018 at 9:46 pm

    OMG, I feel so bad for you and hope u can stop having these seizures!

  17. Kitty Cat says

    April 11, 2018 at 7:52 pm

    You are three things
    1.Brave
    2.Awesome
    3.YOU!
    Never forget to be yourself.
    Remember, I’m rooting for you all the way!

  18. OMG IM SO PRETTY says

    April 11, 2018 at 11:56 am

    OMG I FEEL SO SORRY FOR U HAVING THESE SIEZURES AND NOBODY LIKING U BUT U LOOK SO PRETTY SOMEONE WILL REALIZE YOUR TERRIBLE CONDITION AND FALL FOR U DO NOT WORRY U WILL BE ON THE RIGHT TRACK AGAIN I PROMISE

    • Anonymous says

      April 11, 2018 at 9:47 pm

      I agree

    • Anonymous says

      April 16, 2018 at 7:24 am

      I agree 2

  19. wannabe dork says

    April 11, 2018 at 5:29 am

    U WILL FIND THE RIGHT GUY
    NOT CAUSE HE FEELS PITY ON U
    CAUSE HE LOVES U
    SO IGNORE THE PEOPLE WHO MAKE FUN OF U

  20. Dj says

    April 10, 2018 at 7:57 pm

    These are the things that make us different + the most important thing is to …HAVE FUN!!!!!!!!

  21. Kittypeach says

    April 10, 2018 at 6:58 pm

    Sorry for what is happening

  22. Confused Crusher says

    April 10, 2018 at 12:11 pm

    Hi, it just so happens that I’m going to hospital tomorrow morning to have an EEG to test if I have epilepsy myself. It’s nothing to worry about. If other people think your weird. It’s only because they are insecure about themselves. Everything will be ok!
    Keep your head up!!

  23. shay says

    April 10, 2018 at 11:44 am

    it doesn’t mater just be your self and you will get a date

  24. LIVVVY says

    April 10, 2018 at 4:16 am

    I have a friend with epilepsy. She really hates it. But she tries to make the best of it. Last year at the school concert she was beautiful she didn’t care that she had to wear a helmet. She thought her helmet looked cool and we did too! So show that epilepsy who’s boss. Go to that dance and be the prettiest girl there.GO GIRLLLLL.

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