It has actually been a year now since I have experienced a documented ‘gran Mal’ seizure.

My wife found me the first time. I think she said I was on the kitchen floor.

I woke up after the EMTs arrived.

My wife found me the second time, too. My head was lying somewhere between the toilet bowl and the wall in the bathroom, at least, that is when my eyes may have opened.

I woke up before the EMTs arrived.

I believe there exists a split second moment of experience that a brain starts to record as it “gets back on-line.” I do not know scientifically if that is true.

I have lived such a life, privileged enough, where I can actually say I had never experienced the type of horror I so viscerally felt and feel every time I remember that night that led to months of medical investigation, culminating with the successful treatment through use of anti-seizure medications and managements.

Before even recognizing her, before even recognizing my wife’s face, I recognized the angles of her expression, those angel arches, were pointed with horror, and as I quickly tried to reassure her, I realized: I still had no control over my body. All I could do was watch as my tongue flipped sounds that even I did not recognize as the words I meant to say to her.

I felt compelled to share this story not to share pain, but to share hope.

The privileges of my life, the support of my family and friends, and truly the support of my larger community, have enabled me to live a seizure free life for over a year.

I am only left to think:

If there can be one success story, one story of the strength of the village enabling all, one story of personal perseverance, then I believe there can be many more.

It is entirely fair, legitimate, and credible to show how we all have obstacles we live to overcome.

It is entirely fair, legitimate, and credible too, to show how some obstacles also present an even greater challenge and stress on the socio-economic functions of the individual and of the village.

Not everyone can afford the nearly $1,000 per month price tag of the effective medication I am prescribed.

I am blessed to have insurance.

I am blessed to not be denied based on pre-existing conditions.

I am only left to ask:

If there can be one success story, and personally I believe there are already so many more than one, then what will it take, what story of the strength of the village, of personal perseverance, of the sheer will to overcome, what will it take to turn that story, into the story of us all- what will it take to turn one success story, into all of ours?