Personal Experience: Submitted 1/30/2003

My Fantastic Parts

Epilepsy has been my friend and my foe for many years now. It has brought me to my knees at times and at other times has given me the confidence to step up and take a chance that is filled with rewards. It was my daughter that ultimately gave me the quote that gave me sanity and governs my life today.

"I may not be perfect, but parts of me are FANTASTIC!"

The quote in turn lays the foundation for the following poem.

I see you over there, looking away.
It's me, I'm your friend, or I was till today.

Has it changed? Am I different? PLEASE don't go away.
And I promise, I'll try, not act that strange way!

What is it? You ask, that thing that you do.
It's a seizure, I answer, and I wish it weren't true.

I have Epilepsy you see, seizures they say.
And I pray somehow that won't send you away.

But, "you SCARED me!" you holler. Well, you scared me too.
'Cause loosing a friend is something I don't want to do.

So, maybe if we talk, I can make you understand.
That this is just one part of the person I am.

And in time you'll learn there's no reason to fear.
The times I have seizures, the times that you're near.

Then I'll be a person, NOT PERFECT IT'S TRUE.
But a person with parts as FANTASTIC AS YOU.

Some days, my fantastic parts seem dim or tarnished but they are there none the less and it is up to me to show them to the world and celebrate their existance.

Because I have had to adjust to so many diverse reactions from friends and associates as they learn I have Epilepsy, I have become aware of the uniqueness that these same people bring to my life. For the most part those around me have accepted me and that means they have accepted my Epilepsy. And in turn, I have accepted them and their uniqueness. For we all have hidden disorders on some level.

Together, we are both indeed a long way from perfection but each of us have parts that are FANTASTIC and even on the lowest days, this I continue to celebrate.

-Tuck Matzek