Books on Seizures?

[Mom2HeathandKynzer]

My niece is 12 and last month had her first seizure. She also has tourettes(sp?) But not bad..meaning her tics aren't too bad. Other than that she is a "normal"12..almost 13 yr. old. Yesterday they got the results of her EEG which shows seizure activity on her left side so her doctor started her on some meds(trilipital(sp?) and now Savannah is sooo upset and depressed because she says she isn't normal anymore...because she has seizures. I know this isn't true..she is the same person as she was before she had seizures...but she can't see this. Her parents are very supportive of her...especially my sister is who is her mom...but I thought if there was a book out there that she could read..that is wrote on a teenagers level then it would help her to see that she is normal. So many things I have read on the net is the severe cases and I really don't want to scare her to death. So...do any of you know of any books that she can read that will help her deal with this?
Thanks in advance!!
Anita

[kathleenandjoe]

I just recently got a bunch from the Epilepsy Foundation Marketplace website. VERY helpful. It was not working when I tried to order online. . . so I called and the lady helped tons to get what I needed. Prices were same or better than elsewhere.

[Mom2HeathandKynzer]

What is the address of the epilepsy foundation? I will pass the information on to my sister. I can find alot of my sister to read...just not alot for a 12 yr. old.

[RathyKay]

We were able to get "Lee, the Rabbit with Epilepsy" and "Taking Seizure Disorders to School: A Story About Epilepsy" from our local library. I'm not sure I'd recommend *buying* them, but if their library has them... or can borrow from another library, they're worth that. (Our library borrowed from "the library borrowing system.") The Rabbit one is definitely at a younger level - as in, maybe too young for a 12 year old. (She has her first seizure - staring spell - goes to the doctor, has an EEG, starts meds, she's fine, end of story.) The School one is a little older, more info (describes different seizures, what to do, etc), less plot, but still a picture book style - closer to "The Magic School Bus" information format. Both are matter-of-fact, "I can still do anything I want," "I'm normal, but I have seizures" type attitudes.

My girls quickly read both of them... Samantha is 9 1/2.

[Guitarmom]

TAKE DOWN by E.M.J Benjamin is written by a teen who developes epilepsy as a teen. He is a wrestler. The only thing I found is there is some bad language used here and there and older terms for seizures were used, but the book is good. You see him go through denial at first, then come to grips with his condition.

Beyond the storm, is an EXCELLENT comic that talks about NORMAL people who just happen to have seizures. It discusses several types and several treatments. (best found through Epilepsy foundation affiliates)
www.efa.org is the epilepsy address. go to contact us there and see if the National office can get you this comic)

Embrace the Dawn byAndrea Davidson One woman's story of triumph over epilepsy. Even though it is not a teen story might still be good for your niece to read. THis lady goes through a lot but does not give up.

Also if you google Famous people with Epilepsy you will be surprised. Show her that it is not an obstacle unless she lets it become one!

Ginny