Epilepsy Awareness Month: She Danced with Lightning💜

Hello everyone!

For today’s post, I chose a genre I haven’t posted about before: It’s a memoir, written by Mark Palmieri called She Danced with Lighting.

Telling the real-life story of his oldest daughter, Ana, who had been diagnosed with a severe form of epilepsy as a baby, her determination to live life at its fullest makes this novel one of the most inspirational memoirs I’ve read.

And yes, I’ve read a lot of memoirs!

Told from her dad Marc’s point of view, it vividly illustrates the struggles in his family’s life. The tension between him and his wife throughout the book are raw, honest, and real. It’s not hard at all to put yourself in their shoes.

Epilepsy is a condition that is not portrayed or seen as much as it should be in modern literature.

What shocks me is that one in twenty-six people experience an epilepsy diagnosis, whether mild or severe, in their life. It’s one of the most common diagnoses among neurology, and for some reason many people still are not familiar with it.

Sadly, epilepsy not only affects children’s physical health; it also greatly impacts their mental health, leaving many with anxiety.

Ana’s passion was dance. Dance was what she loved to do, and it was so awesome to see her pursue that passion even in a time when many thought she should give it up. At times she was also humorous, and that brought a sort of light into this read.

This book is important. It’s a fantastic, inspirational read for anyone. If you’re in a dark spot, looking for the light, Marc Palmieri completely paints that picture for the world.

I love this book, and I think you will too.

Content/trigger warning- medical trauma, drugs, severe language (including F-words).