Making friends as an adult in a new town is tough enough.Throw in uncontrolled epilepsy, and you never know what can happen.
One thing that did help me is having two sons in a high school that were involved in clubs and sports. My husband there to help me during new conversations with people if I began to stumble on words. By having this, you have a chance to meet other adults through our sons. One mom just happened to have a son who had classes with our oldest and played football and baseball with our youngest. Her son Peyton, you can go back to Broc's Bday blog and see him on his video talking about how they met. Peyton is truly how Rhonda began to talk with me. He filled her in our family's history on why we ended up moving to Pace, FL late in High school and a bit about my history with seizures.
That was a blessing in disguise from that point we began to talk more and more and I wasn't as afraid to possibly have a seizure in front of her. Our oldest sons were actually roommates their first year at EmbryRiddle, and our families still talk with now all boys into college. She would come visit me and do my nails, we went to see Dirty Dancing Musical as I adjusted to us being empty nesters which she had already been through. During a rough spot for me, and she was back working full time she made me a special paddle which as you can see below is full of all heart. I was in disbelief when she just stopped by to give me this. Now I will let Rhonda talk about us, from her point of view, as I try not to cry. I swear, she wrote all these answers. I never change what Friends & Family says.
Tell us a little bit about yourself
I am a wife, mother of 4 amazing boys(young men). A step-mother to a beautiful girl whom is expecting her first child in late November. We are SUPER excited!! Also, I have a gorgeous 14 year old granddaughter. I love, love, LOVE to do crafts! I love to paint and draw. I love to work with beads and have become obsessed with plants now. LOL
How did you feel when you found out I had epilepsy, and did it ever make you nervous or worried being with me anytime. Describe your feelings, if we were alone out and about or whatever.
I didn't know what to think really. I guess because I've never knew anyone personally with epilepsy! I do remember at a baseball game, the game had ended, everyone was leaving and Tim and I were seated up top on the bleachers and you were about half way down. You had a seizure which I didn't see, but Tim did. He said something to me about it, I was talking to people around us and said "that lady down there down there just had a seizure, I think her husband caught her before she fell, it all happened so fast!" By the time I saw you, you looked like you were in a daze or something and Brent was asking you questions and holding onto you very close! I felt so sorry for you, that's when I thought that beatutiful, young, tiny women having to deal with being felt those cards, has to suck! I felt so bad for you! It weighed on me for the rest of the night, then days after.......because the next day something was said about it and Peyton said yeah "that's Broc Parmer's mom, they just moved here from KY."
I am not sure how long after that, that we met and became close friends.
Did it make you feel different about having a friendship with me due to my uncontrolled seizures, new to town and only meeting due to our sons?
It's never made a difference to me or our friendship that you have uncontrolled seizures!! I don't get too nervous when we are together, I guess because I just don't think about it. You never had seizures, like I see on videos so it's very different and I never notice.
The MOST nervous I have ever been is the night we went to Dirty Dancing at the Sanger Theatre. I was thinking a lot of the "what ifs" which I never thought of before. What if she has a seizure going up or down the stairs, or just seated in the chair during the show, will I even know......etc? I just said to myself well, if it happens we will just deal with it! But it didn't and I was so HAPPY that we were able to go and enjoy an evening together and get you out of the house!!
What was your inspiration on the paddle you made me?
My inspiration on the Wood-Art came from our friendship! You sharing your epilepsy and my love of painting crafts. I wish I didn't have to work so much, so we could spend more time together crafting and just hanging out!
Anything at all you want to share about our friendship and why you continued after our boys are now all in college.
Whether our boys are around or not has no bearing on our friendship to me! I would do anything for you!! You are such an awesome person and I feel so lucky and blessed to be friends with you. I admire the heck out of you! You are always positive, kind, thoughtful, supportive, and super smart! I think most people in your shoes would be mad at the WORLD, angry all the time and wandering why me? You've helped me more than I could ever express, especially when the boys started at ERAU, and you didn't have too. You kept me in the know, always sharing info and keeping me in line LOL.
YOU'RE THE BEST AND I WISH I COULD BE AROUND YOU MORE! LOVE YA FRIEND!
WOW I am in complete awe and thank you Rhonda for being my rock whenever needed, and not thinking differently about me with MyGlitch. You and your family will always be part of Team Parmer! If you read my last blog on S.P.A.R.K., she is part of that for me!
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Rhonda is a true gem of a human! so grateful you have her friendship and support!💜💜