Last summer I had this dream I didnt quite understand. In this dream, a good friend of mine and myself were traveling on my private jet to Spain with my significant other and she was married to a pastor. In this dream I had on a purple shirt and some jeans. We were traveling to celebrate a successful year in our lives and just to vacation. See I was this well-known speaker of something don’t know what it was. Some crazy things happened in that dream but I didn’t realize until now that God was at work.
During this same time, I was at the beginning of deciding to speak out about my epilepsy. To open up more about the fact that I had seizures as a child. That yes, I was one of those people who so many laughed at. That so many people walked over shaking on the ground while losing complete control over their body, not realizing their brain is going into overdrive and could kill them at any point. I was still one of those people who lost sense of time, memory and everything else that happens during an epileptic seizure.
I decided to get into blogging, I got this passion to advocate. I had no idea where it came from. If you know me, I mean really know me, you know I am really shy. It takes a lot for me to come out of my shell. But I had this desire to speak out, to volunteer and give to charities. This was all so new; to share my life with the world was like, who the heck is this?!
Research began on epilepsy walks and realized there were not many. See it’s not that big of a deal to a lot of people but the facts are clear. 65 million people live with epilepsy. I am one of those 65 million. I have family members and friends who battle this every day as well. I found the National Walk for Epilepsy in Washington DC! I knew that would be a big stretch for me to do this or even go to D.C. period. So I just brushed it under the rug. I always brush everything under the rug when it comes to doing things for me. I will give the clothes off my back for people I love or homeless people on the street.
For my birthday this year my best friend Chanelle gave me a book called “A God Dream” by E. Dewey Smith. It focused on the story of Joseph and his dreams. He was too immature to understand the dream God placed in his heart at the time he had it but eventually he got it. It also talked about Dr. King and his dream. I read that entire book in amazement. I was thinking of other situations in my life but my friend from my dream called and reminded me of the dream I had last year. BAM!! It all started to make sense. Not just in my life but her’s as well. I had on that purple shirt.. the awareness color for epilepsy is purple..what was I speaking on? It had to be Epilepsy Awareness. That is what I am so passionate about these days.
Well guess what, I am finally doing something for me. This morning my plane ticket was purchased. I am definitely going to D.C. When God places that dream on your life, He will make sure you are equipped with everything needed to make it reality. I have prayed on this for so long.
As I close out this blog I ask each of you to make a donation and support not only me but everyone dealing with epilepsy. It knows no race, gender or age. It can happen to anyone. We are thankful for any amount large or small. It goes directly to the Epilepsy Foundation. Share this post and link with your family and friends. Support Team Changing Focus on this journey. The walk is March 22, 2014! Plenty of time. Thank you in advance.
Follow this link to make donations:
http://giving.epilepsyfoundation.org/goto/Changingfocus18
You can email me with any questions at epilepsy@changing-focus.com
With Love, Whit
P.s. Big announcement coming soon 🙂
Hi! I am following your blog via Bloglovin’. I have shared your post on twitter, pinterest & google+. I will be walking here in Lakeway. Thank you for finding me on twitter. I became epileptic after my concussion almost 2 years ago, so I am still coming to terms & new, but I am wanting to do my part. I am very happy you are walking in DC! That sounds fantastic. I will also add you to my prayer list. It sounds like we both have God on our side & with that, we are already in good hands.
I look forward to reading your posts.
Lots of love,
lisa
Thank you so much Lisa! You are so right with God on our side we will be okay. I have been epileptic since an infant but only kept it between my family and very close friends. But now I’m ok with the world knowing. We all can do our part! Welcome to my world 🙂 I’m on all of those social networks as well doing epilepsy stories, advocating so follow me and my team of advocates, if you ever have questions or want support or just need a good laugh trust me you will get them all!
Google+ Whitney Petit
Pinterest Changing Focus (pic says Changing Focus Photography)
Then Twitter CfEpilepsy …
Have an awesome time doing your walk as well! Look forward to hearing about it 😉
With Love, Whit