Epilepsy

Connor Cruickshank

Mr. Bryan Jeffreys

College Writing/English 12

8.21.25 

    Epilepsy is often described as a medical condition, but for me it's more of a teacher. The unpredictability of seizures, the treatments, and the constant adjustments forced me to develop qualities that I may not have discovered otherwise. While it was at first a source of overwhelming frustration as I was taking so many pills and having doctor appointments after doctor appointment after doctor appointment, living with epilepsy taught me some things like, responsibility, maturity, gratitude, and empathy-qualities that I now view as essential to who I am.  

The first lesson epilepsy taught me was responsibility. Seizures disrupted my routines, my confidence, and sometimes even my goals. Yet each time I recovered, I realized that I had a responsibility to care for my health, manage my time, and still pursue what mattered to me. Responsibility was not about controlling everything, but about accepting what I could do each day to move forward. This mindset has since shaped how I approach academic commitments, personal challenges, and the way I set and pursue long-term goals.  

A second lesson was maturity. Living with a condition that constantly challenged my sense of control forced me to grow up faster than many of my peers. I had to learn responsibility—managing my health, planning ahead, and making careful choices. Instead of ignoring challenges, I faced them directly, which gave me a deeper sense of perspective. This maturity has shaped the way I approach school, relationships, and future goals, helping me act with intention rather than impulse.  

A third lesson was gratitude. Living with a condition that can so easily take away control made me more aware of the small victories in life. I celebrate the ordinary—days without a seizure, opportunities to participate fully in school, or moments with family and friends. I learned not to take health or stability for granted, and this sense of appreciation now motivates me to value opportunities that others might overlook. 

Finally, epilepsy taught me empathy. I realized that many people face invisible struggles, just as I do. Support from family, teachers, and doctors helped me tremendously, and it made me more compassionate toward others. Today, I am more willing to listen, to encourage, and to stand by people during their own challenges. 

Epilepsy was never an obstacle I chose, but it has become one of the experiences that most shaped my character. It forced me to build responsibility, strengthened my sense of gratitude, and deepened my empathy. Far from limiting me, epilepsy helped me grow into a stronger and more compassionate person, and it continues to remind me that challenges can be transformed into lessons that guide us forward.