Film Review on "A Seizure" By: Nathan Jones

 

Today I saw this highly-talked-about film for the very first time. It's hard to say much, because I am completely blown away.

Nathan Jones has truly done everyone with Epilepsy a gigantic favor by allowing the world peek into our realm of Epileptic seizures. Tears came to my eyes as I watched, alone in my dark bedroom, with the volume turned on high. 

Each second brought back painful memories from the countless times that I've been rushed to the ER after having a seizure. Being told to "calm down" and "relax" by a medical professional... I remembered how badly it infuriated me. How was I supposed to "calm down" when my brain was attacking my body? How does one "relax" when they have no control at all?

The sound of the oxygen mask, the view of the lights on the ambulance ceiling, and the face staring down at Nathan. It all brought me back to my very first Grand Mal seizure. Looking to my side and looking at my bloody arm. Wondering how these strange tubes got into my arms in the first place. I always wanted to ask, but I was too exhausted to speak. 

My father looking down at me like a zombie - half worried, but so worn out from carrying me out to the EMS that he just wipes the sweat from his forehead. Watching his lips tremble as he tries not to cry, and wondering what happened. Hearing all the strange noises from the emergency vehicle, and wanting to rip the oxygen mask off of my face... but I couldn't move a muscle.

My seizures are different than how Nathan depicted in many ways. I hallucinate to the extremes during most of my seizures. I see figures of people who are not there. I have "auras" filled with numbers, math equations, text, and memories from when I was a little girl. Sections of books I was reading prior, or images of web pages I looked at recently all flash through my vision. I would love to show that to the world somehow.

Nonetheless, Nathan has done much more than an amazing job at showing the world just how terrifying seizures are. They aren't little things that people go through and come out of completely fine. Seizures aren't painless, or easy to get through. Being rushed to the hospital in a state of terror, while your brain takes over your body for the worse... This is something that people need to see.

Amazing job, Nathan. Well done and bravo! I hope to see more from you in the future.

For everyone who has not yet seen this film, please click here to watch it! It is best to watch full-screen in the dark. Just as the website mentions, wearing headphones is best.