Epilepsy Today magazine

I appreciate the posting about the lack of understanding in schools. I knew that too, but not when I was a school pupil, or later, a university student. The condition (TLE) wasn't allowed to stand in my way at those times, and I did very well, with a number of awards. The real problem arose when I was a teacher myself. The pupils weren't troubled by what was a minor condition at the time. My professional colleagues, though, behaved very differently. In the staff room, they stayed clear of me, with only one or two exceptions. They had conditions themselves, of a different kind. Matters became worse with time. If I showed a sign of trembling, as little as that, epilepsy or not, I was dragged into the head's study to explain why, in his opinion, I was neglecting my medication. But I wasn't, I insisted, Why would I do that? But again, and again, it happened. Some so-called colleagues began to mutter threats and taunts in quiet corridors, where they couldn't be witnessed. It became unbearable after months of this. I had a choice put to me: resign and get a reference for somewhere else, or we dismiss you. I took the first option, mistakenly. I found my 'reference', some weeks later, was a lifetime ban on teaching. There was no warning, and no appeal. The reason? I was considered a fire hazard. But I had taught languages. How does a languages teacher cause a fire? That was in 1974. I was never reinstated, and never received an explanation. They simply didn't like epilepsy, mild or not and made sure to get rid of me. By contrast, a colleague with a recent criminal conviction was allowed to keep his position.