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Query - Epilepsy, Seizures and Brainstorms

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  • cleofish
    cleofish Posts: 357 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture Combo Breaker
    this discussion is interesting...
    i found out last year that i have epilepsy, quite late in life for the type i have (late 20's) so im just getting used to peoples reactions or peoples thinking on what epilepsy is, but like any condition in life it is all unique to the person, my epilepsy is different to someone else so me being epileptic is different to another person, but sometimes it doesnt feel like that, it does feel as if we are treated with the one brush and that we are all the same and will behave all the same.

    I can understand this to a point as its all just a lack of knowledge and information on the condition, to be perfectly honest before i was diagnosed with epilepsy i didnt know, because to be frank there was no need for me to know (didnt know anyone else that had epilepsy and have never seen a seizure before) so when i was told i had epilepsy all the old sterotypes of having epilepsy popped into my head. But with the help and information of the epilepsy website i started to learn what type of epilepsy i had and at the moment its all a learning curve to figure out my medication and to learn to live with my condition, and in turn my family has learnt upon the way as well.

    Ive never heard of brainstorming either before i was diagnosed or after in relation to epilepsy, but ive heard it as a term for example at an office meeting throwing ideas around.
    Would i be offended by it, no would someone else, they might. I talk to my family about my epilepsy as my 'body popping' episodes becuase for me it makes light of my situation and isnt as frightening or as serious as the word seizure to me, but would i use my term about someone elses epilepsy... no

    i think the point is we are all individuals and all these blanket pc bans on certain terms and certain words i think are an over reaction sometimes (unless they are words that are so obviously offensive and outdated) how about we ask the person what word they use for their seizures and not assume or use slang and perhaps maybe get clued up on the condition ourselves so we dont all assume all epileptics are the same.
  • Brassedoff
    Brassedoff Posts: 1,217 Forumite
    Bah, humbug. The ex was a !!!! and I'm a stroppy cow. Can't change who I am, no amount of taking imaginary offence on my behalf is going to change that.

    JoJo, it sounds like the ex gave you more than enough reason to become the ex!
  • cottyh24
    cottyh24 Posts: 188 Forumite
    I have epilepsy and do not care one jot if someone says brainstorming, epileptic or fit. I'd say them all myself and do not see them as derogatory.
  • 24skins
    24skins Posts: 1,773 Forumite
    It's important to realise the difference between offensive words and words that have been used offensively.

    !!!!!! (as in !!!!!! colon/bladder) is a legitimate medical term and Looney Tunes have been appearing on TV since before I was born. Neither phrase is offensive. However, both !!!!!! and looney are words that have been widely used offensively, which is why someone might hear the word !!!!!! and feel offended.

    This just isn't the case with brainstorm which a) does not have a dual meaning b) has not been widely used offensively to describe seizures and c) as others have pointed out, has a specific meaning that has nothing to do with epilepsy.

    In order to find it offensive you have to make a leap of logic and ascribe to it a meaning that it just doesn't have. Ridiculous.
    Quid quid latine dictum sit, altum videtur
  • Barneysmom
    Barneysmom Posts: 10,136 Ambassador
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Photogenic Combo Breaker
    I think there are some miserable types who are just looking to take offence whenever they get a chance.
    Sticks and stones.......
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  • shegar
    shegar Posts: 1,978 Forumite
    krisskross wrote: »
    Odd isn't it? Taking umbrage at being described as epileptic, diabetic but people are practically queueing up to claim DLA and proudly declare themselves 'disabled'. Still I suppose there is no money in simply being diabetic.

    Well if you realise that some people who are diabetic/epileptic are disabled due to their conditions.........theres nothing odd about that .....they are not taking umbrage to be described as epilepsey /diabetic....If their condition warrants being disabled its not their fault is it..?. Diabetes is a disease, which has crippling affects on the body, and it can result in people claiming DLA for it.............If people are entitled to DLA then they should be able to claim it.......You have to go through very detailed examinations to be able to qualify......Nobody gets it for as you say "just being a diabetic".......
  • easy
    easy Posts: 2,532 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    MrsManda wrote: »
    This has just come up in conversation and wondered what the general opinion on here was.
    My friend is a student nurse and was told in her lectures today that the term 'brainstorm' should NEVER be used as it's offensive to people who have Epilepsy or seizures due to another reason. Therefore they should use 'Thought Shower'.
    Personally I don't find brainstorm offensive but find the idea that it's offensive patronising.

    Hmm, it sounds to me like some academic type, who teaches but rarely (if ever) gets out and actually works with the people he/she 'specialises' in. IMO this is the environment from which most Politically Correct claptrap emerges.

    No doubt this lecturer is really pleased with him/herself, sure in their mind that they are teaching best practice, without ever asking themselves whether they are teaching anything useful or relevant.
    I try not to get too stressed out on the forum. I won't argue, i'll just leave a thread if you don't like what I say. :)
  • krisskross
    krisskross Posts: 7,677 Forumite
    shegar wrote: »
    Well if you realise that some people who are diabetic/epileptic are disabled due to their conditions.........theres nothing odd about that .....they are not taking umbrage to be described as epilepsey /diabetic....If their condition warrants being disabled its not their fault is it..?. Diabetes is a disease, which has crippling affects on the body, and it can result in people claiming DLA for it.............If people are entitled to DLA then they should be able to claim it.......You have to go through very detailed examinations to be able to qualify......Nobody gets it for as you say "just being a diabetic".......

    You misunderstood me completely. I was comparing the people who think that being epileptic or diabetic defines them in a rather offensive way but often many people are anxious, in fact keen, to have themselves defined as disabled.
  • woodbine wrote: »
    out of interest would you find the terms "!!!!!!,or looney" offensive?

    That would depend on which context you used those words in.

    !!!!!! is considered offensive because of the way people have used that word to insult others.
    Saying someone is epileptic or diabetic is not a way of insulting them.

    I really don't understand why you're making such an issue of this John. You don't want to be labelled diabetic or epileptic, but you're quite happy to come on a public forum and basically tell people they are wrong and you are right.
    Everyone has a different opinion on things. Sometimes people agree, sometimes they don't. That's what defines who we are, the choices we make in life, the things we do. Not a condition or illness we may have. You are allowing your conditions to define who you are, because you allow them to become an issue.

    There are over 40 different types of seizure, not 40 different types of epilepsy. Any one person can have one or more types of seizure. Often childrens epilepsy is given a name, which is determined by the types of seizure they have and also other factors are taken into account when diagnosing a syndrome. It gets very complicated, and if you want to know more look on a website like epilepsy action :)
  • 24skins
    24skins Posts: 1,773 Forumite
    Mousie78 wrote: »
    I really don't understand why you're making such an issue of this John. You don't want to be labelled diabetic or epileptic, but you're quite happy to come on a public forum and basically tell people they are wrong and you are right.
    )

    I have to say I found it amusing when someone who thinks 'epileptic' and 'brainstorm' are offensive words described other peoples' posts as "sh!te".

    :rotfl:
    Quid quid latine dictum sit, altum videtur
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