In ancient times, epilepsy was a condition felt to be sacred. Early
myths and mystique surrounding it led to persecution, demonisation,
incarceration and social rejection. Only by the nineteenth century does
epilepsy become accepted as a physical condition, and not a
manifestation of madness or the result of a dangerous contagion.
Why epilepsy became and continues to be so stigmatised can be best
understood by observing the manner in which, over centuries, it has been
presented in the arts and media. This book reviews how it has been
portrayed in literature, paintings, in the cinema and on television, in
music and the theatre, in newsprint and on social media. Here Sacred
Lives takes a look at the lives of writers, painters, musicians and
actors with epilepsy and analyses how they managed their condition and
its impact on their art.
Addressing the evidence on how others in society see those with epilepsy
and why negative perceptions and misconceptions can result in
stigmatisation, loss of opportunity and social isolation, this book
concludes with a personal account on living with epilepsy as a parent,
from diagnosis in childhood through to the pitfalls of adult life. It
provides guidance, based on experience, to help other families and those
with epilepsy on their journey.
