Epilepsy is an invisible illness. And the thing about invisible illnesses is that they don’t announce themselves. They don’t always look the way people expect. Most people picture a dramatic seizure, someone collapsing to the ground, maybe flashing lights triggering an episode. That’s the version we see in movies.
"Whenever I mention that I have epilepsy, there’s a moment. A pause. A bit of disbelief. Sometimes an awkward laugh. As if I just said something that doesn’t quite fit. 'Really? You? You don’t look like someone with epilepsy'. And I get it – because what does epilepsy look like? When someone reacts with surprise – or even discomfort – when I share my diagnosis, I remind myself: It’s not about me. It’s about the stories we haven’t told yet. Because the more we talk about what epilepsy – and other invisible conditions – actually look like, the less room there is for misunderstanding,” writes Melissa Schmidiger, who has lived with epilepsy since the age of three. "What’s something you’ve experienced that people don’t see or expect? Let’s make the invisible visible." (Photo by Florian van Duyn on Unsplash)
"The way we see ourselves, the way others see us – it’s shaped by the stories we tell.”
- Melissa Schmidiger -
Gemma Correll: Her Life In Comic Strips
Decades before mental health became mainstream British cartoonist, writer and illustrator Gemma Correll has given voice to issues such as anxiety and depression through her witty yet punchy comic strips. Her struggle with anxiety and depression is now public knowledge. But back when the Aquarian artist was growing up in rainy East Anglia (England), talking about one’s mental health was taboo. Despite this, she “felt somehow compelled” to start drawing “little stories” at five years old, both as a distraction from her anxieties and as a way to connect with her schoolmates. Today the comic strips she draws are inspired by and culled from her treasure trove of personal sketchbooks and journals.
Mental health-themed TV series or films are sometimes hard to watch because they tend to be too intense, dark, clinical, macabre, or preachy. Western narratives may be negative or positive, but many rarely resonate with me.
But K-dramas are different. They portray authentic representations of mental disabilities. They are not about giving solutions. They are not always perfect. They are about humanising mental health. They foster empathy and understanding by presenting more realistic depictions that challenge stereotypes and outdated notions of mental illness, thus, opening a path to healing, fostering a community that can lead to a sense of belonging. Thus, they leave behind lasting empowerment. (Image: Extraordinary Attorney Woo/wonder.ph)
Nothing touches the human heart more than a compelling story that sparks hope, encouragement and good vibes. Many resonate with us. Others nudge us to take action. Some urge us to pause and ponder. A few restore our faith in humanity.
Weekly Sparks’ pursuit of enriching stories connects us to diverse communities of awe-inspiring individuals who open their hearts (some reluctantly) hoping that in sharing their struggles, pain and, eventually, triumphs someone out there can find the courage to pursue his/her aspirations.
We find such kinship with Women of the World. They are dreamers and believers. Their collective narrative of pushing boundaries and overcoming limitations is proof that anything is possible if we walk with the dreamers, the believers, the courageous and the doers. May their daring spirit ignite a fire within you.
Our Story is really about their stories. They reflect who we are at a deeper level, beyond roles and goals.