Hi Darlene,

I was born with Epilepsy and with Neurological problems
that is progressive, so I've had it all in my life. All my
seizures are nocturnal. So having seizures during the
daytime are extremely rare.

Even though my son is an adult, he can't drive. So really,
as for any Public Transportation, they're really given it
the ax around here.

If I have to - I would take my Racing Bike and ride 25
miles one way to my Epi's office in the dangerous traffic
even though it's far safer to drive than it is to ride a bike.
But if that's the way it's going to be, then so be it.

But I'm not worried about it right now, I'm going to let
the Advocate speak in now. Because "IF" the Epi did
say it, and the Interpreter didn't sign it, then that's
the Interpreter's fault - not the Doctor nor the Patient
and you can't blame the Patient or the Doctor and
the Interpreter can loose their Certification or License
over it - that is - "if" they are authorized.

Now if the Interpreter had signed that, I wouldn't have
any problems volunteering not to drive at all. So this
was almost like "IN YOUR FACE" type attitude, well to
me it is.

I'll just leave it all in God's hands.

Porkette & Darlene, I'm about like you. My E started at age 12/13 & come to think of it, I drove a few months. The accident was in summer & I turned 16 in April. I asked my dad if I could drive (I didn't know to ask Dr. I was a kid) and he said I could.
southie, In the spring & fall I rode my bike 15 miles to the university most every day. One time I know I had a sz after crossing a busy street, at a corner but not by a light becuz it was way down the St. & why should I ride 7 blocks, cross & turn around? Cars don't (And they say biking is safer than driving) I know because I rode up to some car & pointed & asked "is U.T. down that way?"

It wouldn't be so bad if my area (looking down really
ashamed) wouldn't be one of the top areas of places
of where not to drive, walk, or ride in the USA. 5 of
of my top 10 most dangerous places are right smack
nearby my home (sinks really low in chair) in my own
State, and to add insult, 3 of them are still up there
on the top 25 in the entire USA (looking for a blanket
to cover myself) and it's been like this for years.

It's embarrassing.

And now it all doesn't matter anymore, I received a
1st class letter in the mail today, I lost my Epi who's
25 miles away. Yup, the top-notch Epi, and I only
saw him one time and things were going so well and
everyone is at a loss as how could this be? Come
this upcoming Thurs, on 26th, my mom and I will see
him - my 2nd time seeing him, and my mom's 1st time.
My Primary Doctor wants both of us to hear him out,
and while I did get another interpreter and it did take
a Deaf and Hearing Connection Advocate to get them
to get me a different interpreter, he also wants me to
get all the reports from him as well.

We still have not heard a word from the DMV Office
as regarding my driving status yet, so it's been nothing
but confusion after confusion. The Epi already confirmed
I have Epilepsy and what type, which we already know,
but the Office had stated that there were other seizures
and someone was supposed to explain it to me (but never
got back with me on it), then someone else says that the
Epi will explain it, and of course, I receive different answers
and different responses from different folks.

I guess to them, being profoundly deaf, having to use an
interpreter, and all, is too much for them, where I'm just
"time consuming" to them, and it just hurts, really hurts.
I'm used being discriminated against all the time.

If I were hearing, that might be a different story, but I'm
not - I'm just like a candy bar wrapper, thrown out the
car window, discarded and quickly forgotten.

Maybe SUDEP would get me before I ever see this EPI's
face, because he's the ONLY ONE that specializes in
Intractable / Refractory Epilepsies.

Sad and Heartbreaking isn't it?

I'm tired of these seizures at nights, maybe one night an
angel will just carry me home, and there will be no more
Neuro-Land for me no more.

((((Sharon)))

I'm so sorry that the Epi is giving you a hard time and pushing you out the door. I've had 2 neuros. push me away over the yrs. because I just knew more than they did and they didn't like it.
If I were in your place I would report the epi to the Medical Conduct Board they have NO right turning you away because of your hearing that's discrimination and they have no legal riight to do that to anyone.
Keep your chin up and don't give up We all care about you and don't want you to feel so depressed. I want you to know that I'm here for you anytime night or day if you need a friend. I will be praying for you and I know you can keep on going, you're a strong woman! Here's wishing you well and May God Bless You!

Sue

Sharon, I've lost 2 neuros. But the reason was that they moved. Still it's hard. One of them & I were real good together & I was so glad he knew alot my E.
Hun, don't get discouraged no matter how different you are. As a matter of fact you are unique. I'm from so far away but I wish I could go bike riding with you. We can pretend.