Epilepsy to an Employer - In India
My name is Jithin J Naduvath1 and I’m the CEO of the IT firm: Infintor2; which was founded in 2014. Originally from India3, I live in Doha4, Qatar5.
Learning about epilepsy
Epilepsy6 was quite new to me until I met someone at the airport in Doha; my friend Torie Robinson7 who had unpredictable seizures. Torie was the one who explained to me what the condition actually is about. To be honest I didn’t know much about epilepsy at all before she told me and explained more on the details of the problems and the misconceptions people have about epilepsy.
There was an incident regarding epilepsy that I do recollect from my college days though...
Hostel ragging
Hostel ragging8 was unfortunately very common back when I was at college and my batchmates9 (those in the same year as me) were being ragged. During all of this one of my batchmate’s who had epilepsy suddenly dropped to the floor and started shaking in what turned out to be a generalised tonic-clonic seizure10. We rushed him to the hospital (we didn’t know what else to do) and he was fine in a day or two. But then we didn’t take it seriously because none of us knew the effects that seizures had on people, we didn’t know how it was living with epilepsy and we didn’t know that there were other forms of it.
Torie told me about how many people with epilepsy face discrimination at work and public places, that they often might not get the job they wanted, could be excluded from social groups, and could feel isolated.
UntiI I met Torie, I thought that people with epilepsy weren’t efficient enough to work, but our conversation proved me wrong. They can be equally efficient and eligible like any other person.
One of the reasons behind these discriminations is the false media representations and how they give a totally different meaning to the word epilepsy. I now know that today’s medication can often very successfully treat patients with epilepsy, and that people with it can conquer challenges just like any another human being.
Epilepsy is common and various measures can be taken to spread awareness and reduce discrimination against those with it. Learning through reading credible social media accounts, epilepsy blogs and articles and having conversations by people with the condition can help you understand about epilepsy to an extent.
Today
I wouldn’t discriminate anyone with the condition nor is it a drawback for working in my company. Efficient and hard-working people are always welcome. No matter if they are in India or Qatar; my approach would be same.
To hire people based on their ability and to not keep them from opportunities because they have epilepsy is very, very important and other employers need to learn this.
Infintor team, India
