Just Like the Lotus: A Remarkably Honest Account of a Young Girl’s Battle with Epilepsy

There is no book like this one out there for young people and their families who are suffering with chronic illness. They now have a voice.

This is a brave and important book, full of pain and light. Voices of daughter and mother, prose and poetry, dovetail to illuminate the physical and spiritual trials of living with epilepsy. Readers will admire Chiara’s fighting spirit and, like her mother, walk beside her – hoping, cheering, persisting. SVH.

Chiara was twelve years old when she had her first grand mal seizure, and she was diagnosed with epilepsy (JAE) within a few months. Just Like the Lotus documents her journey with this neurological disorder and the impact that it has on her life in all areas. It is an honest account from her perspective of how epilepsy is not just about a diagnosis. Medication side effects, injuries, anxiety, depression, issues with schooling and social opportunities are all discussed honestly within. In cases where she is unable to recall events, her mother shares details of her struggle. This dual perspective gives a well-rounded view of what life with epilepsy can look like as it unfolds. It is Chiara’s hope that her words help others who are struggling feel like they are not alone in this battle. Chiara, now eighteen, lives in Saskatoon. She is an animal lover through and through and enjoys spending time outdoors.