Ali Hassan

I had my first seizure on January 16th, 2015

I was working 6 or 7 nights a week, 9-13 hours a night in a very stressful job.
I also had other issues that combined may be a factor for that seizure, but I am not sure what triggered it. For sure, my bad luck.

The seizure happened when I was walking to work. I just saw what seemed like lightning and felt a few jerks. Then I regained conscious in the Emergency. I was told that I had a very bad seizure. My head hit a parked car and was cut and bleeding.

After a few weeks, I remembered the doctor in Scarborough Hospital had told me about Epilepsy Toronto. I called the office and I was given an appointment to meet the counsellor. I remember I missed the first appointment because I was feeling too dizzy and did not feel confident to travel downtown.

Travelling downtown for counselling at Epilepsy Toronto meant many transit, time, and health issues. Then Epilepsy Toronto started arranging meetings and counselling in Scarborough. Meeting here, in my community, was very time-saving, made transit easier, was much better for my health, and helpful in connecting with others.

My Counsellor was kind, very understanding and had a very thorough knowledge of seizures and their impact. I felt I was not alone and I had people around me for support.

From then on counselling gave me a lot of hope and confidence in life and very soon I saw so many things start changing in my life.

The confidence I gained through Epilepsy Toronto and through my family’s encouragement, I started a part time job as a dishwasher. It was not that easy working at that time but I had to do it for a reason.

I can’t say my health is 100% but I am doing far better than in 2015. I work as a security guard; the company understands my health and needs and didn’t discriminate against me. I have my drivers licence back.

Life goes on; I wish and pray I don’t see another seizure in my life.