Some kids we remember well and some kids it's hard to remember them at all.
One kid who's memory quite often pops into my head is Norm.
Norm had severe epilepsy. He had grand mal seizures at any time. His seizures knocked him out and he was so exhausted that he did very little for the remainder of the day. Sometimes his parents came to school and took him home. Kids who had gone through elementary school with Norm were used to Norm and his seizures. They sat or stood quietly with him until the seizure was over. They seemed to know exactly what to do. The teacher could carry on with the class. I had other students with epilepsy and fellow students supported them as well. It's embarrassing for a teenager to have a seizure. The kids handled it well. They didn't make an issue of it.
Norm went to high school and did well.
Norm was not able to get a driver's license. We had a few talks about the driver's license.
At the back of Norm's epilepsy was brain surgery that might stop the seizures. Some how the surgery couldn't be done until he was 18. I'm not sure if this was a medical rule or the parents did not want to decide on the surgery without Norm's consent. What I know is that Norm looked forward in anticipation of the surgery.
When Norm turned 18 he got the surgery as soon as possible. The seizures were under control and Norm got his driver's license.
Norm went on to get his B.Ed and became a counsellor.
He is now in a doctorate program.
So other than a head with many surgical scars, life is good. Norm has been a leader in his field.
Since I had juvenile epilepsy , I had some knowledge and understanding of seizures. I certainly had sympathy for any of my students who had epilepsy.
I had juvenile epilepsy which ceased when I went through puberty and some forms of epilepsy do not cease.
I'm glad Norm's surgery was a success. And it's good to hear about students who have empathy for each other. That is not the case everywhere. It's good that you grew out of the form of epilepsy you had. I did not even know that could happen!
ReplyDeleteYes, juvenile epilepsy is fairly common.
DeleteSo nice that you understood Norm's situation. How delightful of his success. I didn't know one could outgrow some types of seizures. Wow! Linda in Kansas
ReplyDeleteYes, juvenile epilepsy is quite common. At one time people with epilepsy were very much feared.
DeleteWell done Norm..and all others around him as he grew up.
ReplyDeletePossibly surgery was not until growth and development had finished, to save it having to be done more than once? An interesting point
You bring up a point about surgery that I had never thought of.
DeleteNorm is fortunate the surgery adequately treated his condition. I think for some people, even that is not a solution.
ReplyDeleteYou're right that sometimes surgery is not a 100% cure.
DeleteWell done, Norm. He had an ally in you!
ReplyDeleteI think he had many people along the way who supported him.
DeleteIt is great Norm was able to live a great life after a difficult childhood.
ReplyDeleteTake care, enjoy your day and happy weekend!
I haven't seen him for many years but do hear about him.
DeleteWow, Red, that is a good story about Norm. I'm so glad the surgery was successful and he is now doing well.
ReplyDeleteBrain surgeries are still risky.
DeleteHow nice that you were able to follow nORM UP TO KNOW THAT HE HAS LIVED A GOOD AND PRODUCTIVE LIFE. (caps sorry)
ReplyDeleteYou also revealed something of your own life and tied the two together well.
I am still in touch with some staff who keep me informed.
DeleteMy daughter had nocturnal seizures for awhile in her childhood. She had medication to prevent them and had to go for EEGs quite often as I recall. She grew out of them in her early teens and was so happy about that so she could learn to drive.
ReplyDeleteMy seizures were right after I went to sleep. I was on medication and for the most part I didn't have seizures.
DeleteGlad Norm had people around that could protect him from any serious outcomes.
ReplyDeleteHe didn't have the scary issues like swallowing his tongue.
DeleteThat is a very positive story with such a good outcome. Good for Norm, and for his fellow students for caring for him.
ReplyDeleteKids seem to have a good sense about epilepsy and seizures.
DeleteThanks for telling us. I'm happy to know his classmates supported him.
ReplyDeleteI had other students who were looked after by other kids during a seizure. During the seizure is a time for quiet patience. Don't panic.
DeleteThat's a great story to know "life is good" for Norm after all he has been through!
ReplyDeleteYou live life not knowing when seizure would take place.
DeleteThis is an uplifting story, happy for Norm that the surgery was a success. And that his classmates were respectful, as they should be.
ReplyDeleteKids just seemed to have a sixth sense as to what was needed. Quiet patience is all that can be done.
DeleteHeartwarming in that he was well supported by his classmates. I am glad the surgery helped.
ReplyDeleteThe kids looked after Norm and the remainder of the class carried on.
DeleteGood to hear that the surgery worked out for Norm! I am glad you outgrew your epilepsy.
ReplyDeleteA percentage of epileptics outgrow the condition.
DeleteThat is such a heartening story and so good to hear that Norm has done so well in life. The prospect of brain surgery must have been most daunting.
ReplyDeleteHis life was controlled by seizures so his only chance was surgery.
ReplyDeleteI am thankful for Norm’s surgery went good he could live a healthy life ahead with leadership qualities
ReplyDeleteThis reminds me few people who had epilepsy ,one amongst them was mom’s friend. Whenever she had seizures people would gather around her and do different tricks to bring her back into the normal. Most of them thought she had been haunted .
Lack of knowledge had led people to superstition sadly which made such patients suffer back then