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At two years old, my daughter, Nova, had her first seizure.
Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images; design byGlamour
It was a fever seizure, which we hoped she would grow out of.
But at the age of five, she experienced her first seizure without a fever.
And thats when we discovered she had epilepsy.
Ironically, that idea of otherness is something Ive dealt with since I was young as well.
Im dyslexic and was put in the slow-learning class because I was a slow learner.
My mom is an incredibly fast reader, and I always felt self-conscious about it.
I felt like I was dumb, less than.
I didnt get great grades.
But the bottom line was, I learned differently.
And as a result, I suffered from a lot of anxiety that manifested in my body.
Growing up, there was very little in the way of books or resources.
There was more heady, academic-bang out language around dyslexia.
There was also just this stigma of, Youre not as smart.
But the truth is, neurological differences really are a superpower.
Call me optimistic, but I believe it.
Yes, its difficult sometimes.
But a lot of creative people have these differences.
Thinking differently is our greatest asset.
it’s possible for you to be a writer even though you have dyslexia.
Novas name is also very celestial and planetary.
Plus,shesa sparkler.
My son, Ozzi, has a few learning differences as well.
And thats whyI wanted to writeAll About Brains.
Our brain types are different!
My daughter speaks about her epilepsy in a way that is so accessible and relatable to her peers.
When kids ask questions about it, she has answers.
That was really what inspired me to write the book.
Otherwise it can feel very isolating for all parents and children and grownups.
And see to it that talking about neurodiversity is something that is included in our education systems.
It can be difficult when youre navigating issues like learning differences or autism or ADHD or epilepsy.
Also, you dont have to be diagnosed to relate to it.
But this makes it worth it.
What a privilege to be able to express ourselves and be able to be heard and to be received.
it’s possible for you to order Lake Bells new book,All About Brains,here.
