THE EXAMPLE OF ONE "MR.KEVIN BOLDEN"

        Arkansas Man States: "Finally Someone Puts Epilepsy Into a Story!" ...

             Mr. Tim Parsons Sr. shares what "The Village and Kevin Bolden" has done for  him."

Hello,

My name is Tim. I recently came across Lowell Evans book, "The Village". I sent Mr. Evans the following message located at the bottom of this message...

I was amazed that someone had finally put in a story some of what I had experienced as a person with epilepsy myself. Although I have not read the book, I knew when I read about what the plot was what the book was about. This happens all too often in society today. It happened to me. I worked for the USPS from 1984 until late 1992 or early 1993, it was just before the Family Medical Leave Act was signed into law. I had begged my place of employment to let me do exactly what the FMLA gave workers the right to finally do. My meds needed adjustment after approximately 9 years of working, but my supervisors didn't like me missing work, even though I brought them explanations from my doctors about why I was having to miss work. Eventually, due to the stress and being made fun of by co workers, and with no help from EEOC I had a nervous breakdown because I could not get out of the hostile environment which was only making my situation worse.

I am sure myself nor "Kevin Bolden" are the only ones that epilepsy affects in this way, and the stigma that is attached to it by society is morally reprehensible. No one there saw anything wrong with what was going on.... I could not get any help from anyone, believe me, I tried. I was in the fight of my life, I had a family to feed and care for. If I failed in doing that, what kind of a man was I???

The reason I am telling you this, is that the story of Kevin Bolden, needs to be told, and told loudly. I have spoken with Mr. Evans, and it is like we have lived the same life, only a thousand miles apart. And I feel that there are a million other "Kevin Boldens" out there, who struggle everyday just to get up and go to work, knowing they too will have to face the harassment, and humiliation of being mocked, talked about behind their back and ridiculed afterward, all because they have, shhh, "epilepsy".
I was living the American Dream, and it turned into a nightmare for my family and myself...

Please help spread the word, and educate an ignorant population about epilepsy, and rid our society of the stigma associated with it.

Thank you for helping Mr. Evans, and thank you for allowing a small light to shine and reach me in what seems like a very dark and cruel world.

Sincerely,

Tim Parsons, Sr.

        

THE VILLAGE TO THE RESCUE!

It was said, meet Lowell. He says,"I have epilepsy, but epilepsy does not have me!"

 A FAMILY IN NEED!

 

(THE VILLAGE IS THE ANSWER)

This letter is from a Parent that I was introduced to! Please read and understand why it was written!

Thank you,
Lowell G. Evans
Author of: "The Village"
Creator off: Mr. Kevin Bolden"


TO: Theresa Bowick, Conkey Cruisers


FROM: Tonya McKinney

DATE: December 17, 2013

RE: Lowell Evans and Epilepsy

Not sure where to begin except to say that our lives changed in 2010 when epilepsy entered our world. At the time, our 13 year old daughter had her second grand mal seizure within an 8 month period. After five days and many tests from her wonderful new doctor and neurologist (Dr. Toor) from the Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughter in Norfolk, VA the diagnosis was given and a prescription shared. That was the easy part.

The difficulty began with Lauren being withdrawn. Because the seizure happened at a church lock-in, many teens witnessed the episode and were frightened. Many didn’t understand and became distancing themselves. Lauren had no recollection of the event and decided to retreat to the safe harbor of home. All extra activities and interests outside the home disappeared, as did most of the friends to come swim in the pool, hang out and ride bikes. Life as a "normal" teenager didn’t seem anything close to "normal" anymore.

Lauren began online friendships and felt safe there. She didn’t have to tell anyone about epilepsy, they didn’t know her and weren’t there that day. We also moved into a new house and new school, hoping that would help. Unfortunately only the location changed…epilepsy was still there at 8pm when we would take the daily dose of medicines to keep the seizures from returning.

One day at a community luncheon prior to a doctor’s visit to celebrate 2 years seizure free, we were told of Mr. Lowell Evans. A few days later Mr. Evans came to our home to share his story. This was the first time Lauren opened up to talk to someone about epilepsy, her lack of motivation in school or desire to leave her safe harbor of home. He gave her a copy of his book but more importantly shared with her that he has epilepsy, but it doesn’t have him. She smiled and opened up a bit. They became friends and he a source of support for her.

Mr. Evans has called many times on Lauren to encourage her to share her story, which ultimately is a story of God’s love and compassion through all. We like to say we are a work in progress kind of like a caterpillar morphing into a butterfly. As a faithful family, this strength is supported daily and encouraged to be what God desires, despite an epilepsy diagnosis and what others may think. We now look at epilepsy as an opportunity for perhaps a totally different plan in helping educate others in the future…coincidentally the very same idea Mr. Evans has! (At our house we don’t believe in coincidences, but rather the hand of God.)

I could go on and on about our gratitude for Mr. Evans. For the first time I see Lauren opening up, reading on epilepsy and actually talking about what has changed our lives. We try not to look at the negatives or fear the unknown, but rather try to bring good from this diagnosis. I hope you will find this helpful. We feel very blessed to have met Mr. Evans and look forward to spreading the word of epilepsy.

"The Creation of Mr. Kevin Bolden"

The Creation of Mr. Kevin Bolden

A name and a face was needed for “Epilepsy”

              A health condition people are not always willing to discuss

          Still I felt that this was something people needed to understand

       So the creation of “The Village and Mr. Kevin Bolden” was a must!
 

Kevin Bolden was a hard-working, corporate, family man

Here was a happy husband and a loving father of two

All he wanted to do in life was to be very successful

So whatever price he had to pay, he was willing to do!
 

The people in his neighborhood, “The Village”

Truly admired him for the life he was trying to live

Unfortunately his Employer would not do the same

They saw his condition and put “Epilepsy” before his name!
 

Because of a “seizure” his Employer now saw him as a Liability

Instead of the “True Asset” he had proven himself to be

Mr. Bolden realized why they began to think like this

It was the “Epilepsy Education” that they seemed to have missed!
 

So he said, “Father forgive them, for they know not what they do”

But how could Kevin Bolden be the “Man” that God made him to be?

It was all because of the people in “The Village”

They saw a successful, educated man who just happened to have Epilepsy!
 

 The Village supported him during his trials and tribulations

For a “Good Husband, Father, and Friend was all they were able to see

Now Kevin Bolden is able to say to anyone, “Yes, I have Epilepsy”

But because of “The Village”, Epilepsy does not have me!”

 

“Words from the Heart”

Lowell G. Evans

Author of: “The Village”

The Village Mission Statement

 

 

The Mission Statement of "The Village for Epilepsy Awareness"

 

 

The Village for Epilepsy Awareness

MISSION STATEMENT

Myths and stigmas associated with epilepsy have caused much damage to the individuals and loved ones that deal with this neurological condition daily. The Village for Epilepsy Awareness uses its resources to educate society about the truth of epilepsy and to increase epilepsy awareness within the community. Living a normal life with epilepsy is achievable and our goal is to encourage society to embrace one another and come together to eliminate discrimination toward individuals with health conditions.

 

Lowell G.Evans