Occupational Therapy: Where Science and Spirituality Collide

In her emotionally inspiring testimony about her fight with epilepsy, Sitawa Wafula shares her encounter with the stigma associated with her condition.  Unable to finish college and fired from her job, Sitawa learned to adapt.  She now advocates for those who share her battle in order to raise awareness and reduce the prejudice against those with unpredictable seizures.  Sitawa admits to her doubts about continuing to live and how debilitating her epilepsy can be even days after a seizure.  Increased stress and anxiety are triggers for a seizure and she admits that she would experience two to three seizures daily.  In its most severe form, epilepsy prevents independent living and requires constant supervision.  Nonetheless, Sitawa fights against the debilitating effects of her epilepsy and strives to increase the understanding of those who struggle with this disease. Something that I have learned is how often we as a population prejudge what is a disabili...