Epilepsy

Allow me to respond to “Getting Politics Out of Medicine” (editorial, June 11).

In the first paragraph “disorders” is mentioned in referring to epilepsy, which is correct. In the second paragraph, however, we read “devastating diseases,” again referring to epilepsy.

Epilepsy is a seizure disorder and not a disease; it can be controlled, is not contagious and the only devastating part is that in 1991 our society has not yet accepted epilepsy as a disability and medical insurance is hardly or not at all available for those who have this disorder.

It is our duty at the Epilepsy Society to educate the public and spread the word that, with proper medical care and acceptance by the general population, the majority of people with epilepsy can and should live a normal life and be self-supporting.

HETTY L. DOESBURG

Executive Director, Riverside-Imperial

Counties Epilepsy Society