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Posted 11/3/2008 7:23 PM (GMT 0)
Hi,

I am a 48 yr old American male and for many years I drove for a living. Last year I was involved in a fatal car accident where one person passed on the be with the Lord. I had a blackout/seizure for the first time in a year after constantly taking my medication and my dilantin numbers had been good. I unfortunately was charged though later acquitted after all the evidence was provided, but I had a 3 month suspension but chose never to drive again by choice. I gave up my license though I was given permission to drive by the local police and state where I live. As you can guess I gave up my old job though the money was good. The big thing is I had no onward sign a seizure or something was about to occur but it did. BE CAREFUL. I was an excellent driver but it happened on a major road. I think the final straw for me when I heard in my trial I missed 2 young children by 5 ft that day and thank God I did. Seizures can happen any time and with no warning so be safe driving out there. I recently attended a conference where I was asked to speak to 18-30 yr old drivers who have the seizures who feel they are invincible. They are not. I am a testimony of that.
Posted 11/8/2008 2:02 AM (GMT 0)
I want to add a quick post to this as well...

I am a 26 yr old American male and I had not had a seizure for over 3-4 years. One morning I went to the gym just like normal, and driving back I had a seizure while driving. I was very lucky...#1 6:30 am in the morning so no one around on the neighborhood street I was on...#2 The left side of the road had a big 10 ft tall hedge row...and the right side of the road had a big lake...I got lucky and ended up in the hedge. As far as I remember that day about a year ago now, (I just gained the ability to drive again last month) I did not do anything out of the ordinary, and the one thing I did change was said not to have any particular effect. (but that is another story)

I really respect what you are doing. I wish I was able to give it up like that, but I love driving more then anything in world since I was denied it for so long during my youth. But, I also want to add a few things that I have learned from my experience...

#1. Plan ahead so if something does happen you can go on almost like normal. (for instance I can walk to work everyday)

#2. If you do have to drive limit it to as little as possible. (I have a car and I can drive now, but I only use it when other options are exhausted or if I have too many groceries to bike or walk with)

#3. Be smart about when you drive. (I will admit that there have been times before when I definitely shouldn't have been driving and after this experience I will definitely not drive during those times again)

Also,

I hope beyond hope that some of those 18-30 yr old drivers paid even a little bit of attention. I don't know if it would have made a difference for me, but I hope beyond hope that for someone it does make a difference. Which is also why I come visit these boards every once in awhile.
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