2 - On being a woman with epilepsy

Summary

Lisa Lindahl is a member of the Board of Directors of the Epilepsy Foundation, a founder of a successful start-up company (she invented and marketed the first sports bra, the Jogbra), and a woman with epilepsy. Ms Lindahl's efforts were critical to the success of the Epilepsy Foundation's Women with Epilepsy Initiative.

In this chapter, she shares her personal experience and perspective. She discusses what it has been like to live with epilepsy, how she has navigated the medical system, the questions she has asked (and has not always had answered), and how she has become an effective self-advocate. Through Ms Lindahl's voice, you can learn how to be in charge – by getting information, getting noticed, and asking directly for what you need. In Ms Lindahl's thoughtful view, taking responsibility for your own well-being is essential to living well as a woman with epilepsy.

MJM

Epilepsy, as experienced by women, is the subject of this book. Why a whole book? Because so many women, girls, and their families have so many questions, and sometimes it seems there are more questions than answers. This is due, in great part, to the fact that there has only recently been information available about why a woman's experience with epilepsy is different from that of a man's. Further, much of the information was difficult for the average person (like me) to locate.