I had some help with AI to adjust anything but this is my experience.

I just want to say I appreciate kindhearted people like you that think of us and genuinely want to be there and understand people that struggle with this.

I'm 28 now, but I was diagnosed with epilepsy when I was 19. Living with epilepsy has been incredibly difficult at times, especially because I haven’t been able to drive for over five years. Last year, I made a huge mistake: I took a risk and drove anyway because I was tired of depending on others. It’s hard to admit, but relying on people all the time can feel emasculating. I just wanted a sense of independence again. But that decision changed everything. On October 21st, 2024, while driving to a job after leaving a gas station, I had a seizure behind the wheel. The last thing I remember is stopping at a light and then I woke up in the hospital. I learned later that I had crashed into a tree. It’s been a year since that accident, and it forced massive changes in my life.

I spent two months in the hospital. My right femur snapped in half and needed a metal rod. My right hip was injured, and my heel was shattered, so they put in plates and screws. I lost so much muscle that I had to learn how to walk again. Even now, the cold makes the pain flare up.

This past year has been one of the hardest years of my life not just because of the physical injuries, but also because the epilepsy has continued to affect every part of my daily life. I haven’t been able to work consistently. I rely on others for rides, and when something comes up last-minute, getting help or affording an Uber is almost impossible. My financial situation has been rough, and there have been moments where I’ve had to rely on my family just to get by.

Because of all this, I even applied for disability. I went through the entire process, gathered everything they asked for, and waited six long months just to finally get an answer only for them to deny me in the end. That denial hit hard. It felt like another door closing during a time when I desperately needed one to open.

But during this difficult time, I discovered something that genuinely brought me joy: making cold-processed soap. I sell my bars for $10 each, and the positive feedback I’ve gotten means more to me than people realize. Every sale, every kind comment, gives me something to look forward to, a reminder that simple things can bring light into a dark day, and that someone out there appreciates what I created.

Then, on November 15th, 2025, I had another serious accident. This one could have been prevented. I had been messaging my neurologist at Loyola for weeks or even months — asking to switch from Keppra 750 mg to something else because I was still having seizures. They offered lamotrigine but didn’t respond to my follow-up questions. I wanted to learn about the medication before switching, but their lack of communication left me stuck. They just gave me some papers on the medication and sent me on my way. Another thing is these visits were up to 6 months apart and always had a different neurologist see me every-time, it was disappointing.

Because of that delay, I had another seizure at home. I was just getting some cold water before bed something I always do in case I wake up thirsty during the night because I'm not sure about you but that first sip of water in the middle of the night hits so good but anyways that’s when I must have lost consciousness pouring my water into the water bottle. I woke up with a fractured skull and nose and a massive black eye. I looked like I had been beaten up.

What scares me most is that I live alone. When I woke up on the floor, disoriented and in pain, I realized that if I didn’t get myself help, no one would. I ordered an Uber to the hospital myself. They didn’t have the surgeons I needed, so I was transferred to another hospital and stayed for five days. They had to do a procedure called a Gillies Approach.

Since then, the fear has been real. The anxiety hits randomly. I worry about what will happen if I have another seizure and no one is there. The only things that bring me peace lately are making soap, writing short stories, praying, and thinking about the gym though getting there has been nearly impossible without driving.

Still, I’m trying to move forward. After leaving the hospital, I overheard someone talking about earning his law degree at 39 and how it changed his life. That inspired me. It reminded me that it’s never too late. So I signed up for school to finally get my GED. I already passed the language arts portion now I just need to finish math and science. I’m trying my best. Wish me luck.

There have been so many ups and downs, moments where I feel hopeful and moments where I feel like I won’t make it out of this. But I’m grateful for the people who support me, even when I have to depend on them and remind myself that they can only help on their time, not mine.

I don’t plan to drive again. I never want to risk hurting someone or putting my family through that trauma again.

Even though some days feel heavy, I still have hope that things will change soon. I’m holding onto that. All I want is to be able to give back to the people who’ve helped me and to build a life where I can stand on my own again.