This Thanksgiving—Thankful for My Disability & That EPILECTRA’s Finally Arrived
I’m very thankful this Thanksgiving – thankful for so many people, events, and things it would be impossible to list them all in a page-and-a-half long blog. Epilectra, my graphic novel about a team of modern superheroes with different disabilities they transform into superabilities to rehabilitate adversaries and make the world a better place, is finally available to purchase after almost five long years.
I’m exceptionally thankful for that and for all the special and talented people who helped with the project management, branding, marketing, PR, illustration, website construction and management, and event planning and management that brought Epilectra to life. Even more so, I’m grateful to my family – my daughters and my husband – who have supported me through the ups and downs of this lengthy process; especially my husband, who’s lived with me through it all and stood by my side both emotionally and financially.
I’m thrilled that with her twofold mission of Disability Empowerment and Stigma Elimination, Epilectra is already making headway in helping people with challenges believe they are capable of both having and reaching their dreams. At the same time, she’s helping the rest of the world understand that, in most cases, the only difference between them and someone with a disability is how one’s family history and fickle genetics play out. The genes you inherit that result in freckles or blue eyes also combine to determine your likelihood of getting certain diseases and your mental ability (National Library of Medicine). Whatever your disability or “challenge” may be, Epilectra is helping both disabled and able-bodied individuals alike understand that it doesn’t need to define you; but it is part of what makes you “you.”
As you know by now, I talk a lot about my disabilities because I believe that education and conversation are keys to eliminating stigma and building pride. I talk about them in this newsletter, in my blog, and in my social media network several times a week. To quickly review, I have three “invisible disabilities:” Hashimoto’s Disease (nonfunctioning thyroid), Type 1 Diabetes, and Epilepsy. My husband and I joke that I seem to get diagnosed with something new every 20 years, since Hashimoto’s came at 8, T1D at 30, and Epilepsy at 50. With all three, plus vitamin, joint, bone, and sleep supplements, I take 21 pills every day. And for my diabetes I wear an insulin pod and a glucose monitor on my belly. The pod gets changed every three days and the monitor every 10. Managing all this is a real team effort between me and my husband.
But I said I was thankful for my Epilepsy, and that sounds weird, right? Before I continue, I need to interject that I’m very lucky in terms of my Epilepsy. My seizures are currently controlled by my meds. October 27, 2019 was my last seizure – a doozy, complete with fainting, in the middle of my husband’s annual meeting at which the speaker was a brain scientist. Why was that the last one? I don’t really know. Afterwards I did become very regimented in terms of organizing and taking my medication. I purchased a plastic “day of the week” granny pill organizer, enlisted my amazing husband/caregiver to fill it properly, and set my phone alarm so I’d remember to take my midday meds.
But here’s why I’m grateful to Epilepsy: IT BROUGHT ME TO EPILECTRA. Without this disability, I’m sure my life would have taken a different path. I’m blessed to be the Creator of something that brings positivity and possibility to others with disabilities, opens doors to learning and acceptance, and is all dressed up in a rip-roaring adventure! Now, I’d better get to work on Epilectra Book 2!