12 inspiring epilepsy quotes

Reading epilepsy quotes from experts, celebrities, or other people with the condition can be inspiring, encouraging - and even help pick you up if you’re feeling down. We’ve pulled together a list of epilepsy and seizure quotes from the past to the present, and from people all round the world. 

12 epilepsy awareness quotes

Read our top 12 epilepsy quotes, and learn more about other people’s seizure experiences. 

1. Hippocrates 

“It appears to me to be no more divine nor more sacred than other diseases, but has a natural cause … like other affections. Men regard its nature and cause as divine from ignorance”. 

Hippocrates is considered the ‘father’ of modern medicine. In his book ‘On the Sacred Disease’ (written 2,400 years ago) he argued epilepsy was not divine, but a natural medical condition. 

2. Ray Robinson

“I'm important. I matter. I can do anything. I'm a sexy, strong woman that happens to have epilepsy. Do you get it? I have epilepsy but it's not who I am.”

In Ray Robinson’s breakthrough 2006 novel ‘Electricity’, the main character fights back when someone calls her an ‘epileptic’. 

3. Lil Wayne

“I’ve had a bunch of seizures, y’all just never hear about them”. 

Rapper Lil Wayne has had epilepsy all his life - in an interview with Rolling Stone magazine he talked about the experience of living with the condition. Read our article on Lil Wayne’s seizures here. 

4. Danny Glover

“I want people with epilepsy to know that there are ways in which they can play a role in their own recovery. It's all in how they approach what is happening and how they can use that as a catalyst for their own growth. If there's one thing that I've learned, it's that people are willing to embrace you if you share your story”. 

Lethal Weapon actor Danny Glover had epilepsy during his youth. In this epilepsy quote, he encourages other people with seizure disorders to take an active part in their treatment. 

5. Neil Young

“Epilepsy is something nobody knows much about. It’s just part of me, part of my head, part of what’s happening in there. Sometimes something in my brain triggers it off”. 

The Harvest Moon singer Neil Young described his experiences of living with epilepsy in a magazine interview. 

Did you know: 14 celebrities with epilepsy

6. Professor Sameer Zuberi

“As scientists, we know that each increment in knowledge, every marginal gain, when added together can make big differences to the lives of people with epilepsy.“ 

Researcher Sameer Zuberi describes how research into treating epilepsy is continually contributing to our understanding of the condition. 

7. Donna Stahlhut

“It really is so important to keep advocating for your child and not to give up and to say, ‘You know, maybe this is the best it can be’.”

As the founder of the Epilepsy Foundation of Texas, Donna passionately believes in advocating for the best treatment, as she discussed in an interview. 

8. Natalie Boehm

“I encourage individuals with epilepsy to advocate for themselves and find a supportive doctor who will advocate for them as well. I hid for many years my epilepsy despite being seizure free for years due to the fear I would lose my job and not be able to get my medication to survive. Hiding what I have gone though would only allow the stigma to continue”. 

Natalie is the founder of the Defeating Epilepsy Foundation, and in one interview shared her advice for people living with seizures. 

9. Jim Chambliss

“Epilepsy can, in some circumstances, be enabling - not just disabling - through the stimulation and enhancement of artistic expression”. 

Artist and researcher Jim Chambliss explains his reasons for encouraging art among people with epilepsy. 

10. Prince

“My mother and father didn't know what to do or how to handle it, but they did the best they could with what little they had".

World-famous musician Prince explained in an interview his experience of growing up having seizures. 

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11. Iasmin Omar Ata

“I almost flunked out of high school, because I missed so much school. Students with epilepsy should inform their teachers and professors about their illness. Their teachers or professors would then be aware of their illness. This would allow their teachers or professors to support them. Just speak up, even when it’s hard. People will be respectful”. 

Illustrator, cartoonist and activist Iasmin describes their experiences of growing up with epilepsy and its effects on their education in this interview. 

12. Greg Grunberg

“There is such a stigma attached to epilepsy and seizures in general. When in fact it is like any other condition and if everyone is educated and free to talk about it then it’s not scary”. 

Actor Greg Grunberg has spoken widely about his son’s epilepsy. Read our interview with Greg here. 

What are your favorite epilepsy quotes?

Are there any epilepsy or seizure quotes that particularly inspire you? Message us on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter - and we’ll update this list!