Contrary to popular belief that race,sex and color are the only basis on which a stigma can be created,there are several issues that we, as modern individuals in this world converge upon, leading to atrocious examples of socially induced stigma.

One of the most pointed stigmata that we face today is the stigma associated with people having a medical condition.Most people in the world today, do still look down upon people with medical conditions.One of the bare examples that I came to understand of the sadism was the plight of this certain really good friend of mine.She s a complete bubble ball, rambumctious,pretty, a total riot and all that.Just typing good things about her makes me sick to my stomach, but that s how we work.She s an epileptic but that hasnt stopped her from getting her life on to the max.

She had an episode one night, which thankfully was uneventful.But, the stigma associated by her college, and certain nuns, who are supposed to be deemed custodians for the kids, is just impossible to understand and regretably very shallow to fathom.

Most people are misguided about people with pre existing medical conditions.And just in case, you crazy ass nuns, and the stupid princi, take a chance to read this [prolly which you never will], understand that the situation that you have put my friend thorugh was extremely unwarranted, insensitive and downright irresponsible.

Here s what happened....

Like I mentioned before, my friend had one of her episodes, which thankfully passed out without causing her any veritable harm.She was in her hostel room asleep when the fit came.Thankfully,her friends were with her, and as they thought it to be pretty uneventful, they didnt report it to the warden. THIS, I ADMIT WAS A PRECURSIORAL MISTAKE, and should have been reprimanded, because medical conditions should be dealt in a precise and forthright manner, something that cant be expected from non medical professionals.

But,when the warden came to know about this, she made a mockery of events, catching my friend,and her roommates,for not reporting to her.But that was nt apparently the reason why she was pissed.The reason was that, in their hostel, the girls are supposed to give up their mobile phones and laptops after roll call.But it came to notice that this roommate of my buddy called her mom who was a nurse for advice, post the submission time.The warden wanted to prove this but she could nt trounce one bit out of the girls.This lead to a vendetta leading to a very public reproval by this nun to the professors in the college.This led to reprimanding, and subsequent expulsion of my buddy from her hostel.Apparently, the reason was that they would nt be able to give her the care and attention that a child of her "requirement" requires.Whats worse is that, she was even told to complete her course via correspondence citing evidence of stress. [SHE ISNT FREAKIN MENTALLY RETARDED, BILCH BRAINS].Not after she had given everything she had to the college, in terms of work hours, attended lectures etc. I still dont understand if they failed to notice that she is still an active member in many activities as well.Epilepsy hasnt stopped her from doing what she wanted, so why in heaven should YOU??.

What I still dont understand is that, these nuns, who are supposedly supposed to be compassionate,kind and help the needy,turn their backs on someone who requires their support, and in greater faction, add humiliating, not just her , but her mom as well for some apparent godforsaken reason.Just because she is an epileptic, doesnt mean that you have the right to repeal her off the hostel.Just state the fact that you yourselves are incapable of doing right on your duties.

If this is not discrimination, I dont know what is. It is the right for every citizen of this country to be treated fairly, and not be barred out on the pre text of a medical condition.One should therefore be careful not to be too categorical, against an epileptic as there are triggers that take you on a trip, the most potent being : STRESS.

Mental stress causes more seizures than physical stress. It can be a case of expectations in a child who is looking forward to something so much that he has a seizure. It is sensible to distract the child, and also to explain to him that this might happen. At examination time, people should plan their work to avoid a too heavy workload in the days before the test. It is seldom harmful to work concentratedly. On the contrary, it is known that to occupy oneself with something reduces the tendency to have seizures. If a person has seizures just before or during an examination, it is possible for them to receive a light tranquilizer, to reduce nervous stress.These are not my words but the words from the Text Book of Basic Neurology by Parkman.So, just in case, you were wondering why I wrote this, it is to bring to your notice that, kicking her out of the hostel, and subjecting her to an hour, up and down, in a train, produces more stress and strain, which makes her more susceptible to stress induced fits.

It is also known that too low blood sugar can cause epilepsy. It is therefore pertinent to see that she never misses a meal, or that her blood sugar doesnt go down because of more work put in. It can also be dangerous to wait too long without eating, specially if the delay is caused by taking part in sport or travel. It has been known for people with epilepsy have to be brought into the casualty ward with seizures, because they have been travelling and haven't eaten.

Too little sleep brings on seizures in many people. If they go to bed late, perhaps after a party,or studies, they may tend to sleep late the next morning, thus proving the necessity of a hostel. Too little sleep is particularly dangerous for people with juvenile myoclonic epilepsy.Just add the pressure of having to wake early to attend college, which is a good hour away from their house.It is often difficult to fall asleep when one's bedtime has been changed.

Some people with generalized epilepsy are sensitive to flashing lights. Some find that looking at the sun's reflection on water or ice can trigger seizures.Also triggered by constant contact with neon sunboards or flashing ligh or even triggered by oncoming traffic

All these might be reasons enough to submit to your notice that if in case, something , GOD FORBID, were to happen, the sole responsibllity would lean entirely, onto the shoulders of the college.

It cannot be denied that there is still discrimination against people with epilepsy. Discrimination is manifested as many people help keep these old prejudices alive. It is not uncommon to find that a person with a mild epilepsy, who is seizure free, does not want to have it known that he has epilepsy because of the range of discrimination he or she will have to face.

More frankness will improve conditions for all those with epilepsy. If more well-known people who have epilepsy dared to stand up and talk about how they have achieved what they have despite having epilepsy, it would help all those who experience discrimination.

Discrimination is found most often among those who know little about the subject which clearly is seen through the ways things have been dealt with. That too, in an educational institution which is in MUMBAI, a metro, and that too in one of its MOST reputed colleges.

It can also be found amongst children who might tend to tease and bully those who are in any way "different". Parents should inform the school that their child has epilepsy. The class teacher should explain to the other children what this means, so that they can understand that it is just something they, and the child involved, easily can learn to live with. The situation must be put across in the most matter-of fact and undramatic way possible. On the one hand, one must not be over-protective, but on the other hand the child must not be exposed to teasing or bullying.

The person with epilepsy should tell those at his work place that he has epilepsy, if there is a risk of seizures occurring at work. If seizures occur only during sleep, it is seldom necessary to tell of it.

When applying for a job, a person with epilepsy should, ideally, be able to say straight out that he has epilepsy. Many people do this, and many others have to, as a medical certificate has to be produced in many cases when applying for a job. Others have learnt from experience that it may be better to wait until they are known and valued at the work place before telling. By that time they will seldom be dismissed because of having seizures.

When i say this I do understand the flip side of the coin.When discrimination arises, it seldom comes from a wish to harm, but because of anxiety and ignorance. It can be difficult for a person with epilepsy to understand why others react so strongly to his seizures. It may be a good idea for the person to see a video recording of seizures. Then they might find it easier to understand the reactions of others.

By informing the general population that seizures look more dangerous than they in fact are, and that effective treatment makes seizures more and more unlikely to occur, one can hope that conditions will improve for people with epilepsy.

So, all the nuns, especially Sr.Ananda, and the princi of this well reputed college, please be open to reason and do what is right.This child needs your help as support.She s not asking for special consideration,please just give her what s due.I ve cited the reasons of what would make her more productive, not only as an individual to the college, but to the entire fraternity.A little more care from you, a little more tolerance from your side, might prove to work wonders for my friend.I wish wholeheartedly that this situation would be subject to consideration as well.