I would like to thank Cassidy Megan, founder of Purple
day, for bringing us together. Without Purple day I might not have had the
courage to put together the “Dessert and Entertainment” at Mimi’s Tearoom, in
Enderby BC. We had four women vocalists, one a piano player, and my husband
Steve on guitar. I emceed the event weaving information about Epilepsy between
music interludes. We sang jazz tunes, spirituals, show tunes and opera. The
tearoom has seating for fifty people and we were sold out; we could have sold
another 20 tickets, but that would exceed the fire regulations. Next year we
will be in a bigger venue.
Jackie sang and bravely told us about her mother who
had epilepsy and how hard it was growing up with the bulling of her mom, being
called a drunkard and more. She was so pleased to hear what we were doing to
bring about awareness. They had nothing like this in the 80’s. We touch so many
lives.
The event gave me strength. The audience was glowing
with smiles; they enjoyed the music and the information. Some of the feedback
was “What an amazing evening, all that talent in little Enderby.” “You did well.” “What a fun night.”
I shared a bit of my story.
I have been living with Epilepsy for approximately 20
years and didn’t know it, until 2013 when I started having Tonic Clonic or
Grand Mal seizures. The first few
seizures in the mid 90’s were more like visions, the most interesting was the
night I went to bed and suddenly I was in outer space. My thoughts were “I’m
not asleep how can I be dreaming, what is this and where am I?” It was amazing.
Floating in space with me was a circle of hands; I could float down to the
circle and feel secure and safe inside the circle or float away and watch it
spinning around.
It left such an
impression I had to draw it. With Scottish-Irish as part of my ancestry I drew
the circle of hands with Celtic knots. I silkscreened it to garments, put it on
our wedding stationary. The circle of hands has become a symbol of the support
system of family, friends and community that help me through my days. Recently I had the circle of hands printed onto
greeting cards, I have them for sale $4 each or three for $10.
For me Purple Day is not just about bringing awareness
for Epilepsy, it is also about saying thank you to family, friends and
community for their support, this difficult journey called epilepsy would be
much harder without them. Your support and understanding helps me and others
with epilepsy get through our days, thank you.
Mimi finished with Phantom of the Opera’s “Think of
Me”; what a voice she has. Thank you to Mimi for your songs and piano work, her
husband Jong and Mimi for the venue, the tea and yummy dessert’s, young
Christian for donating cookies, Joyce for song, Steve for guitar, Jackie for
song and the story of her mom, Donlea and Tom for greeting and taking the
tickets at the doors.
If you think someone is having a seizure; stay calm,
let the seizure take its course, speak calmly and protect them from dangers.
For more information check out www.epilepsymatters.com
Comments are welcome
