Q&A With My Oldest Son About Having a Parent With Epilepsy

I was finally able to nail down my oldest son. He is the sibling referred to in the 8-year-old's interview. I asked him some of the same questions, some he came up with on his own. Enjoy these insights from someone who has been living with a parent with epilepsy for ten years. 

Q: What's it like having a parent with epilepsy?

A: Not that different from a regular parent. You just have to get used to them having seizures, and then it's just like having a regular parent. 

 

Q: Are there any challenges to having a parent with epilepsy? 

A: Sometimes I have to comfort my younger brother because he gets scared, but otherwise, it's not that bad.

Q: Have you ever seen your parent have seizures? How did you feel?

A: I'm too old to remember the first time I saw it. But, I've seen it so many times it's not that scary at all. 

Q: Did you ever find it scary that you can remember?

A: At the risk of being crude, no.

Q: How do you explain epilepsy to your friends?

A: We don't really talk about it often, but I explain it like your brain is a train track, and sometimes the trains collide, and then you have a seizure, which kind of looks like you are jerking around and stuff.

Q: Do you have any advice for other kids whose parents have epilepsy?

A: What kind of epilepsy?

Q:  What kind can you speak to?

A: What kind of seizures do you have?

Q:  I have complex partial seizures.

A: That's what I thought! I knew the partial seizures, I just couldn't remember the complex. Anyway, if you get used to it, it's not that bad, like I've said before. 

Q: What do you suggest other kids do if they see their parent having a seizure?

A: Don't leave your parent, but try to get someone to help. Or help them yourself if you know how to do it.

Q: Do you know how to do it?

A: Why, yes, I do! [HEROIC POSE]

Q: What do you do?

A: I get Mom's medicine and shove it up her nose. And put pillows around her and try to make it so she doesn't hit her head.

Q: Do you have any advice for the parents with epilepsy ? 

A: I think your kids will be alright. If you've had it for a long time, your kids are probably used to it by now.

And a 10-year-old bonus question:

Me: Did you just fart?

Him: Yes. And, I'm out! [RUNS DOWNSTAIRS]