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Vincent Van Gogh - A Biography
Vincent Van Gogh - A Biography
“Sorrow is eternal.”
“Sorrow is eternal.”
Van Gogh, born in the year 1853, was famously titled an “epileptic genius”. He was a Dutch painter, who accomplished a lot despite having epilepsy. Van Gogh is believed to have suffered from a focal epilepsy, which was accompanied by simple focal and complex focal seizures. In the last two years of his life, Van Gogh suffered epileptic seizures at irregular intervals. The cause of his epilepsy cannot be established or confirmed, but there are a variety of theories present.
Van Gogh, born in the year 1853, was famously titled an “epileptic genius”. He was a Dutch painter, who accomplished a lot despite having epilepsy. Van Gogh is believed to have suffered from a focal epilepsy, which was accompanied by simple focal and complex focal seizures. In the last two years of his life, Van Gogh suffered epileptic seizures at irregular intervals. The cause of his epilepsy cannot be established or confirmed, but there are a variety of theories present.
One of the reasons for his epilepsy points to a difficult/prolonged birth, which may have led to abnormal behavior in his childhood; normal intelligence, but focal and secondary generalized epileptic seizures (in the temporal region as the focus of the epileptic activity). This could have resulted in residual epilepsy due to cerebral damage caused in early infancy.
One of the reasons for his epilepsy points to a difficult/prolonged birth, which may have led to abnormal behavior in his childhood; normal intelligence, but focal and secondary generalized epileptic seizures (in the temporal region as the focus of the epileptic activity). This could have resulted in residual epilepsy due to cerebral damage caused in early infancy.
Additionally, Van Gogh could have had a higher tendency to have epilepsy, due to family genetics (his aunt, brother and sister all suffered epileptic seizures for a time being in their lives).
Additionally, Van Gogh could have had a higher tendency to have epilepsy, due to family genetics (his aunt, brother and sister all suffered epileptic seizures for a time being in their lives).
In the last two year of his life before he committed suicide, he suffered epileptic seizures. Though, this did not affect the ability of the artistic and creative genius.
In the last two year of his life before he committed suicide, he suffered epileptic seizures. Though, this did not affect the ability of the artistic and creative genius.
Van Gogh underwent therapy for his epileptic seizures, but due to his great disappointment, they were therapy-resistant. This and his take on life (tragic, painful misfortunate and full of disappointment) led to his tragic demise.
Van Gogh underwent therapy for his epileptic seizures, but due to his great disappointment, they were therapy-resistant. This and his take on life (tragic, painful misfortunate and full of disappointment) led to his tragic demise.
The Village Watchman - A Memoir
The Village Watchman - A Memoir
“We see them for who they are not, rather than for who they are.”
“We see them for who they are not, rather than for who they are.”
Terry Tempest Williams, wrote a short memoir about her uncle, Alan, who suffered from epilepsy.
Terry Tempest Williams, wrote a short memoir about her uncle, Alan, who suffered from epilepsy.
Alan was born through a breech birth, where his brain was deprived of oxygen. This resulted in Alan having mental deficits for life. In the modern society, Alan is called “retarded, handicapped, mentally disabled or challenged.”
Alan was born through a breech birth, where his brain was deprived of oxygen. This resulted in Alan having mental deficits for life. In the modern society, Alan is called “retarded, handicapped, mentally disabled or challenged.”
Terry discusses her uncle’s behaviour as opposite to what the society had labeled him with and enjoyed spending time with him. She liked his genuine personality, spontaneity, and honesty/straightforwardness.
Terry discusses her uncle’s behaviour as opposite to what the society had labeled him with and enjoyed spending time with him. She liked his genuine personality, spontaneity, and honesty/straightforwardness.
Terry goes on to share how her uncle was then transferred to a “training school” or facility, which was an unpleasant place. Terry didn’t believe that he (Alan) truly belonged in that place with other “abnormal” children.
Terry goes on to share how her uncle was then transferred to a “training school” or facility, which was an unpleasant place. Terry didn’t believe that he (Alan) truly belonged in that place with other “abnormal” children.
Alan wore a football helmet to protect his head from falls during his epileptic episodes at the facility.
Alan wore a football helmet to protect his head from falls during his epileptic episodes at the facility.
During Alan’s baptism at age 22, he suffered a violent epileptic episode. Alan died at the age of 28.
During Alan’s baptism at age 22, he suffered a violent epileptic episode. Alan died at the age of 28.
Terry remembers Alan with a connection to an Aboriginal story about a kidnapped boy, who was seen as a “holy man” and not “abnormal” upon his return to his people.
Terry remembers Alan with a connection to an Aboriginal story about a kidnapped boy, who was seen as a “holy man” and not “abnormal” upon his return to his people.
Summary
Summary
This post references two individuals (past and current times), who despite their epilepsy were unique in their own ways, regardless of where they fit on a “bell-shaped curve” or “normal" scale. This goes to show that Epilepsy is not a mental illness or "retardation", but a condition that affects people at different times of their lives. It is usually a result of a deficit or something that may have gone wrong at the beginning of an individual’s life. Lastly, a lesson that health professionals can take away from the life stories of people suffering with epilepsy is that medical therapy can only go so far, and then family/religious community involvement, love and care makes a big difference.
This post references two individuals (past and current times), who despite their epilepsy were unique in their own ways, regardless of where they fit on a “bell-shaped curve” or “normal" scale. This goes to show that Epilepsy is not a mental illness or "retardation", but a condition that affects people at different times of their lives. It is usually a result of a deficit or something that may have gone wrong at the beginning of an individual’s life. Lastly, a lesson that health professionals can take away from the life stories of people suffering with epilepsy is that medical therapy can only go so far, and then family/religious community involvement, love and care makes a big difference.
Works Cited
Works Cited
The Village Watchman, medhum.med.nyu.edu/view/12773.
The Village Watchman, medhum.med.nyu.edu/view/12773.
Schneble, H. Van Gogh, Epilepsy. Famous People Who Suffered from Epilepsy: Vincent Van Gogh, 1 Jan. 2003, www.epilepsiemuseum.de/alt/vangoghen.html.
Schneble, H. Van Gogh, Epilepsy. Famous People Who Suffered from Epilepsy: Vincent Van Gogh, 1 Jan. 2003, www.epilepsiemuseum.de/alt/vangoghen.html.
Hello, thank you for your post, Van Gogh story also highlights the fact that you can be great in any field of your choosing and that epilepsy cannot hold you back no matter how much difficult it can be one can persevere. - Trusha Patel
Thank you Trusha for your comment
Indeed, Van Gogh story tells us that no matter how the circumstances, if you have believe in yourself you can do anything in this world (Syed)
I hope you took the time to find the story of the Village Watchman and read it. Ruth Nemire
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