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[David08]

My name is David, I grew up in eastern Africa where being epileptic is a taboo subject. I started having seizures around the age of 12-13, the good thing is I had a great support system. No stress helped me during my 3 last year of high school with no seizures. So I came to south Africa in 2010 to pursue my university studies as a nerdy guy I went for Mechtronics, which includes automation and robotics. I loved it, I taught kids from under privileged background how to build and program robots. I was active as my epilepsy was under control. In 2012 it comes back but few seizures per year or no seizures, I started seeing my parents judging me that it must be me I stress a lot etc... I reduced classes so I can be fine. But that means I will finish a year after or 2 than what I was supposed to, but all went well, I finished my diploma and went for a degree. So while applying for jobs, my cv had health condition epilepsy, I didn't get any call, my brother asked me to see, he told me to remove it that is why I wasn't getting calls.

The month after I removed it and sending it to the same companies, I started getting calls. A new chapter started, which was more stressful I got 2 jobs at the same time and as an engineer it stress after stress, I didn't mind but the boss didn't know that I was epileptic, I told my co-workers,but as soon as I got my first seizure, thanks for him my contract was up it wasn't renewed, I had a second job to fall on, but I had a seizure before I sign a permanent position that was just opening, they dragged to sign the contract for 3 months until they started "retrenching" and as I was the last hired I was top on the list. My hr manager told me that I should disclose my condition in every interview, she wrote me a really good letter of recommendation, but since I left it has been 8 months, I go to interviews we discuss everything, money until when can I start, I tell them everything. So I tell them before we both make a decision, I am epileptic, I wanted to disclose it. I can see their faces change, for 8 months I have been to more interviews than I can count.

People around me don't understand why, they are like give yourself a timeline, do that, sometimes they will be like you had 7 years without seizures, why can't you do that.

I ran out of explanation, last month was the hardest, I had like 5 interviews. Still waiting on 2. I am considering doing other stuff that I won't like just to make people stop being on my back.

I know they care and their hearts are in the right place but not everyone will be willing to hire what they will consider a liability, I grew up thinking that epilepsy was just a normal life condition, but most people are afraid of it as you dig deep.

Thank you for reading

[EpilepsySA Partner]

You can contact the Epilepsy SA Branch closest to you by calling our tollfree number (0860EPILEPSY) for assistance.

[David08 in reply to EpilepsySA]

I will contact you.

[David08 in reply to EpilepsySA]

Hello, I tried to call the number wasn't going through. I know that the Gauteng branch is in springs it's a bit far from where I am, and due to my current situation, I can't visit them. I have requested to volunteer in the past.

[Epilepsy007]

Hi David, it is really sad, my daughter is 26 and sits with the same situation, every time she discloses her medical condition at an interview she never hears from them again, and I think it is very important to disclose things like epilepsy. All the best and God Bless

[David08 in reply to Epilepsy007]

Hello, Thanks for your blessings. In these situations that is when you realise is small good gesture can mean the world. I hope you daughter get a job soon. may God bless you and your family