My gift!

    I had the pleasure of meeting a friend that I met through our journey with Epilepsy this morning for coffee. I often think of the gifts I have received by Meghan having Epilepsy. There was a time that there was no way I would say there were any! My denial stage.  The one that i would say that I couldn't do this, I don't know what to do stage?  This is one of them.  Meeting all the moms, families, providers.  The people that you will never forget!

    I was fortunate to meet 5 very special women on one of the first Epilepsy Foundation support group meetings I attended.  It was more than a decade ago.  But still after 13 years we are friends, actually family.  A very special group/family.  They know things about me that no one else does and visa versa.  We have all gone through stages where we are depressed, joyful, overwhelmed and ANGRY! But those 5 women have helped me actually saved me.  We sometimes call each other the same day and other times we don't speak for months.  But we all know that we can if we need each other.  We all have gifts.  I have the gift of gab!  That comes in handy sharing resources, books, ideas, techniques and ways to help their child.   The bottom line we all help each other in the journey.  I believe God put these women at the meeting and gave me what I needed.  We all get together, not as often as we would like but we go out to dinner and enjoy each other.  If there is one thing that I would say has  helped me are these 5 women that God put before me. If you are in this place with Epilepsy or a chronic illness find a friend that is in your circumstance.  The bond you will feel will be natural, special and perfect.
 The other gifts that I have received are touching peoples lives. Some that want you to and others that don't.  I think about all the lives that we have touched over the years.  It could be the plebotomist that took Meghan's blood weekly, the cleaning lady at children's that would always have a smile on her face, the school districts, the teachers, the families, lindsay's friends.. the list goes on and on. I also have gained the opportunity to speak in front of hundreds of providers/doctors and tell my story.  I have worked on Epilepsy projects, wrote for various organizations in parenting a child with chronic illness and made people hear our story.  Good or bad.  I have been on tv several times, wrote newspaper articles and help others in their journey.  I think the biggest gift I have received is that I was trained almost 30 years ago to work with brain injuries.  God put me in that position and now I am equipped to do all that I need to for Meghan and others.  What a gift that is.  I didn't want to hear it from my mom but she was right. I had the skills to do this and do it well!
     All of us have gifts.. What is your gift? I feel blessed to be able to recognize my gift.  Can I help you or someone you know?  If I can please contact me at Epilepsy Awareness Resources.com