Epilepsy – My Wakeup Call

Hi everyone,

Let me say a big thank you for taking the time to read my first in a series of three articles in which I will share how Epilepsy is your wake-up call that can put you on a self-healing journey in which like me you too can unleash the healing powers of your body-mind-heart. I trust you’ll find it extremely intriguing, informative and inspiring to read.

For those of us who have Epilepsy and have a friend or a family member who has Epilepsy, I’m sure we all know just how fearful life can become. What’s terrifying is the uncertainty that comes with an illness such as Epilepsy. You never know when that next seizure may occur, you may end up in Hospital, collapse as you walk on the streets or have a terrible accident while doing the day to day tasks.

Many of you who may have a loved one affected by Epilepsy know how frightening is the moment when your phone rings to let you know your loved one has experienced another terrifying epileptic episode.

This way of living in constant fear of what may happen to me as an Epilepsy sufferer went on from the age of 22 to 40, today, as I am nearing the age of 42,

I feel blessed to wake every morning knowing I am healthy and Epilepsy free.

You heard me right, but the truth is, if you have met me few years ago before I embarked on this incredible healing journey, I too would not believe that I would ever be free of Epilepsy. You may well be asking yourself how is this possible, especially if like me you were told your epilepsy was incurable.

If like me you have been told by your GP and Neurologist you will have to spend the rest of your life taking anti-seizure medication in my case Epilim Chrono (Sodium Valproate.), then I trust what I am about to share will inspire you to seek alternative methods of healing so just like me you too can go on a journey that may lead to curing your epilepsy.

It is on this journey that I learned to appreciate the saying “Your health is your greatest wealth” and every money I spent on choosing to work with one of the worlds greatest healer and human behavioural expert to heal my epilepsy was well worth it.

Before I go any further to share how I cured myself of Epilepsy, I would love to share seven chilling statistics that come from the World Health Organisation:

1. Epilepsy is a chronic disorder of the brain that affects people of all ages.
2. Approximately 50 million people worldwide have epilepsy, making it one of the most common neurological diseases globally.
3. Nearly 80% of the people with epilepsy live in low- and middle-income countries.
4. People with epilepsy respond to treatment approximately 70% of the time.
5. About three-fourths of people with epilepsy living in low- and middle- income countries do not get the treatment they need.
6. In many parts of the world, people with epilepsy and their families suffer from stigma and discrimination.
7. People living with Epilepsy and other mental health issues suffer from profound Loneliness.

To read more Epilepsy facts please click HERE!

Worldwide there is some great debate whether Epilepsy is indeed curable, some people who are diagnosed as a child grow out of their Epilepsy, others chose to have surgery and become seizure free, and some end up living on medication their entire life. Just by looking up the web you will read differing reports from many Health Authorities who say the cure is not possible and some from Neurologists who say it is.

So how did my epilepsy begin I hear you ask, well aged 20, I was involved in a violent incident in which I was left partially blind where I lost 80% vision in my left eye. Roughly two years after this I suffered my 1st full grand mal seizure, a day both my mum and I remember well. When I was diagnosed with Epilepsy, the neurologist at the time told me that the initial impact from the blow to my eye had disrupted the electrical waves, signals in my brain also causing my Epilepsy.

After I was left partially blind in this co-created violent incident, I spent many years seeing the top eye specialists in the UK and undergoing many eye operations, which included having a pressure relief vent implanted into my eye. Aged approx 22 I was making my way to the Glasgow Eye Infirmary to see a leading Professor when I experienced a traumatic event that left an indelible mark on me, my family and my life for next 18 years.

As I walked along one of Scotland’s busiest streets Sauchiehall Street with my mum for my eye appointment, suddenly my legs went weak beneath me, and I began to walk as if I was taking the steps but not gaining any distance. My body then leapt in the air as if my spirit was leaving me. I remember saying to my mum I have to sit down on one of the black rubbish bins that adorned Sauchiehall Street, that was the last thing I remember.

When I regained consciousness lying in the street, I found myself talking to a very concerned paramedic, after being taken to the hospital I was discharged and told anyone can have a seizure. It’s only if it were to happen again that further neurological investigations would have to take place. I felt a huge sense of relief at this news until the day came when it did happen again a few months later.

Only this time it didn’t happen on the ground it occurred approx 100 feet in the air at my work, I was working as a pipefitter on a pipe rack between 2 buildings and me was installing a new piping system within a local chemical factory. After this episode, I was referred by my GP to the local Neurological Unit where I was eventually diagnosed with a form of Epilepsy called Juvenile myoclonic epilepsy. Which you can read more about HERE.

Like many of you reading this, I developed many fears through being epilepsy sufferer, especially relating to my first seizure on Sauchiehall Street which left a scar in my subconscious mind; this scar drove my conscious way of thinking with regards to my Epilepsy for next 18 years. I became very fearful of many things that most people take for granted and pay no daily thought to such as.

• A fear of being in crowded, busy city streets
• Fear of walking long distances especially alone
• A fear of having a seizure if I forgot to take my medication which sometimes I did
• A fear of leaving my house

Truth is I was left deeply embarrassed by my first seizure as it took place in such a public place, and so I avoided busy public places as I was terrified of it happening again and having the same feelings of embarrassment. Then as if by fate, chance, coincidence I met the most amazing man who would become my mentor, healer and educator.

In part 2, I’ll share with you some of the discrimination I experienced in the workplace because of being epilepsy sufferer that may help you in case you find yourself in a similar situation.

I’ll also share a bit more on how committing to Tony J. Selimi's yearly integrated and holistic coaching program helped me overcome some of my biggest fears and put me on a path to live my life free of Epilepsy.

Until next time, take care and thank you for taking the time to read my articles.

Paul McMonagle

PS – Whenever you’re ready, here are four ways Tony helped me and can help you jailbreak the prison of your mind and accelerate your journey to great health, success, and wealth.

#1 ... Start reading Tony's #1 Amazon bestselling books A Path to Wisdom and #Loneliness.

#2 ... Enrol in his Mindfulness for higher Productivity, Performance and Profitable Life Udemy course, join him here.

#3 ... Make the fastest progress by booking a two hour clarity coaching consultation or hiring Tony to work with you or your business, for more information click HERE.

#4. ... Hire Tony to speak and inspire your audience with his enlightening perspective at your next company or industry event. Click HERE to download his "speaker sheet" and fill in the form with your event info.