Living with epilepsy

Dinah Achieng’ Onyango is epileptic. When she got pregnant, she was worried about her safety and that of her baby. Would her friends and relatives be supportive?
She narrates her experience to Rebecca Njoki

‘One night, my mother saw me convulsing and got frightened. She did not want to imagine that I had epilepsy. After this incident, she started monitoring me closely and when I convulsed again after a month, she decided to take me to a mental hospital where I underwent an Electroencephalogram (EEC) test.

Though it happens monthly, I never know exactly when

This is when it was confirmed that I had epilepsy. I do not know what caused my condition, which was diagnosed when I was 18 years old,in 2002. But just before I had my first fit, I joined my school’s handball team when we went to play at the National competitions. I fell down badly during the game and hit my head hard on the ground.

After experiencing the fits, I usually get confused and have a severe headache. I am lucky that these always happen when I am at home with my family members who help me. Though it happens monthly, I never know exactly when. Although I have realised that they normally occur close to my monthly periods.

I lagged behind in studies

Epilepsy affected my memory so much that I lagged behind in studies. Before I had the convulsions, I was one of the top students in our secondary school. Later on, I realised that I was struggling to remember what we had learned. Nowadays, I cannot even recall any of my classmates’ names.’

I gave birth to my baby

In June 2007, I gave birth to my baby whom I conceived after going out with my boyfriend for three years. I was on Anti-Epileptic Drugs (AED’s) during the entire period when I was pregnant.

During my pregnancy, I led a normal life

I attended antenatal clinics and made a point of informing the staff that I was epileptic. I had to go for the routine epilepsy check-ups with my doctor. Whenever I visited the doctor, I had to inform him the number of times I had experienced seizures in a day; and explain how severe each one was, and the medication I took.

I led a normal life during pregnancy and my friends took great care of me. My elder sister was really exceptional because she was aware of the fact that anger always sets off my epileptic fits. Therefore, she would always try to keep me away from annoying situations. During pregnancy, I continued experiencing fits at least once a month.

I disappointed my strict mother

This being my first pregnancy and having disappointed my strict mother by getting pregnant before marriage, I never allowed my cravings or dislikes to come to the fore. I would always keep them bottled up inside. My father was the first person I informed that I was pregnant—I then left to my elder sister the difficult task of informing my mother!

Although she was annoyed, she had to take care of me because she understood my condition well. I told my father that I knew I had made a mistake and was sorry for having let them down. He consoled and encouraged me saying it was fine. He also discouraged me from thinking about procuring an abortion.

I believed I was capable of delivering normally

My main challenge was being induced, as I delivered a week after my EDD. The doctors advised me to go for Caesarean section but I declined because I believed I was capable of delivering normally like many other women. Fortunately, I did not experience any convulsions during labour. I eventually delivered a baby girl weighing 3.2 kgs.

I did not have a birth partner during my delivery though my sister took me to the hospital, then left. She came back the next day when I informed her that I had delivered.

I do not have a stable source of income

It is unfortunate that my condition prevents me from getting a job because employers fear that my seizures can prevent me from performing well. I, therefore, do not have a stable source of income with which I can support my baby.

However, I get encouraged and know I am capable of doing anything, when I look at epileptics, such as renowned British musician, Elton John, who is successful in his chosen career.

Dinah, 24, is a youth coordinator. She started having epileptic attacks in October 2002 and due to related effects and lost study time, she had to resit her Form Four examinations.

END:PG14/60