In this episode, Christine Cooper-Smith shares how a grand mal seizure at 13 abruptly ended her dancing ambitions and forced her out of school, launching a long journey through fear, stigma, and the invisible emotional toll of epilepsy, from anxiety and depression to the constant worry of losing control in public. She explains what epilepsy really is in everyday language, how triggers like heat, humidity, alcohol, caffeine, and flickering light shape her daily choices, and why boundaries and honest communication are essential for living well with an invisible illness. Ultimately, Christine’s story reveals how she transformed profound loss into purpose, becoming a dance therapist and mentor who helps others with chronic conditions find new goals, regain self-worth, and create a life that’s bigger than their diagnosis.
Christine Cooper-Smith was pulled out of school as a young teenager after a grand mal (tonic-clonic) seizure ended her dream of becoming a professional dancer, yet despite being told her future was over, she went on to become a university graduate, dance therapist, and mentor, helping people with invisible illnesses reclaim confidence and independence. A co-author of Stories of Strength: Real Journeys of Struggle, Resilience, and Renewal alongside Pat Macedon, Christine focuses on the emotional and social side of disability, teaching others how to navigate boundaries, communicate their needs, and rebuild a meaningful life beyond diagnosis.
Resources:
Talking Points
00:00–01:35 From losing her dream of becoming a professional dancer at 13 to becoming a university-trained dance therapist
02:28–04:15 What epilepsy really is and why the emotional impact can be more disabling than the seizures
04:45–05:42 The hidden burden of feeling like a “burden”: isolation, depression, and learning to communicate your needs
08:16–09:23 Triggers, boundaries, and everyday risks from alcohol and caffeine to flashing lights and extreme heat
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