THE SWALLOW'S FLIGHT: Tales of Persons with Misunderstood Neurological Disorders

The Flight of the Swallow, tales of misunderstood neurological disorders was begun in 1976, when I found that people enjoyed both my art and writing. People seemed to gain understanding from both. These papers were given at International Medical Conferences that dealt with disorders of the brain from Europe to China from 1988-2004. Some conferences included mobility as well. It was my desire to present material from a consumer's view on these topics. Therefore, I interviewed many people and used a lot of stories from my own life. As a person who has had epilepsy since age two, and a broken hip since age twenty-one, I have lived through a lot than enables me to identify with some of these disorders. The only way that society is going to understand the hidden disorders, such as epilepsy or bipolar disorder is if people with these disorders speak out. Otherwise, they will retain their stigma. Many people do not know that Friedreich's Ataxia, a degenerative neurological disorder that is hereditary, is very similar to Multiple Sclerosis. Much is done for MS, but little for FA. In order for change to occur, understanding must take place, and that can only occur through education.