Unfortunately in our area we don't have cabs, so I rely strictly on my husband, family and friends. It's such a pain and I honestly find it the most annoying part of epilepsy (aside from seizures).

I have to depend on friends and family with the occasional trip in a cab. I also have to be thankful I can still walk and have a great support team behind me, but that doesn't mean I don't feel like a burden sometimes.

I look for jobs that are close to home and they are not ideal. I walk and ride the bike. Sometimes I have help from family but I really don't like to ride the bus, mainly because I have never tried it. uber I think is a cheap taxi service. People drive their own cars

Hi, Richard,
My sons deal with depression also. My oldest son, Tyler, just turned 29. He was diagnosed at 17. He is naturally introverted, but epilepsy seemed to send him into a downward spiral. The winter months in Ohio are the worst time for him. He's recently had a dosage increase of the Depakote and it's really helped stabilize his moods. Now he's talking about going to school in the fall for IT certification. My youngest son, Mitch, is 22. He was diagnosed with temporal lobe epilepsy in 2014, just four days before his 21st birthday. He prefers to handle his depression with deep meditation and exercise. He also is more inclined to surround himself with friends and lots of activity. Mitch is a deeply spiritual person. Honestly, of the two boys, Mitch has seemed to have an easier time excepting his diagnosis. Tyler lived in denial for most of his late teens and twenties. I thank you for sharing with me the issues you cope with. Do you have any advice for a mom with adult sons? I'm trying so hard to give them their independence. I tend to hover but I've made great strides this past year. May I ask what you do for a living? They are having a hard time figuring out how to earn a living and deal with the affects of epilepsy. And, of course, this economy is not helping. Any advice is welcomed!

Hey JennHatfield,
My son says the same thing. He's 29 and hasn't driven in about 5 years. The small town he lives in just recently got a transit system that gets him wherever he needs to go, within our county. Because of his diagnosis of epilepsy, he pays half price, just $2, per ride. Also, he is on Medicaid, so they pay for any ride to and from medical appointments. Even if he needs to go to the Cleveland clinic. It's been a way for him to re-establish some of his independence, which makes him feel more confident. I hope you have something like this service in your area. If not, maybe someone in your community needs to ask the county why they are not providing transportation services to those who cannot drive for medical reasons. For people affected by epilepsy, not being allowed to drive is not just an issue of convience, it's also a matter of independence and self worth.