Tony, police officer, living & working with epilepsy

Tony, member of the Victoria Police, has had epilepsy since age 12. Now well controlled he successfully challenged his admmission rejection to the police force. He is now an active and a successful police member.

[@qweasdzxcname]

ive been diagnosed when i was 11 or 12. it wasnt easy, i had to lie quiet a bit, but i served the military and now i can proudly say i am a veteran with epilepsy who did everything my peers did. including guard duty, lack of sleep, lots of running and stuff. though it did help the fact i stayed in shape. i had to lie to every doctor to stay in the military, but it was worth it. one time i forgot to lie and i learned the hard way that a person with epilepsy need to learn to lie well enough to get anything in life. (it took alot of work but i overcame the obstacle)

[@DanMcNamaraa]

we’re you medicated and if so how did u sneak it in?

[@fulleffect1525]

I have it too I take keppra for grandmal seizures 500mg twice a day I’ve had it since I was about 19 and I’m 34 now.. I like your comment because it’s the truth I’m finding that out that u do have to Lie it sucks living with epilepsy but it’s not impossible to fulfill your dream sky’s the limit so God bless any and everyone who’s living with this situation your not alone!

[@mahmoodsafi9950]

@@fulleffect1525 my dream is to become a police officer i am also taking keppra750 2 times and depikot 500 twice a day i wish they let me join after medical exam i have no seizure or any epilepsy

[@indianflava101]

So inspiring. Thank you for sharing your story

[@nathaliegrieves3859]

Apart from epilepsy i lead a normal life . Epilepsy doesn't have me. I think u are amazing to have a good job and show it that it won't stand in your way . 😆

[@King_Wasteman]

I’m studying policing in university here in the UK and worried a lot because in the uk everytime u have a seizure u can’t drive for a year. I’m currently 20 and I haven’t even started learning driving and with the job of the police, in most areas driving is important. Even tho my epilepsy is mild and happens at home I’m worried as to how I’d be employed even after my policing degree.

[@julieaykol3377]

Hi there, I thought I might be able to give you some perspective! Im also from the UK and I have mild epilepsy, I've started learning how to drive (although corona has stopped me) and I am also applying to become a Detective Constable. I'd say a lot of policing jobs require a manual license however, if you work as a DC rather than a PC this isn't often a requirement. Epilepsy is covered under the disability act, so I think they would take this into consideration as to why you might not have a license. Hope this has been helpful even tho your comment was 11 months ago!

[@nathaliegrieves3859]

well done Tony 😊 i stopped driving cos of my epilepsy . even though is very mild and happens at night. i don't want to kill someone on the road just in case epilepsy decided to come in the day

[@smythie27]

That just makes it even more frustrating. I have been told all my life that I could not join the force because of my epilepsy which was a dream of mine since I was in high school.

[@KathRob1994]

Inspiring

[@TheNotoriousPOM]

Can you please help me! i have epilepsy and have just been knocked back from Victoria Police recruitment because of the stigma and image of Epilepsy. i have mild epilepsy and have been medication controlled for many years. i passed all my recruitment tests with flying colours and am so eager and motivated. If theres anything you can do to help or a person you can pass me onto. Thanks

[@MRIMPOSSIBLE2c]

I have the same problem

[@bigshaz33]

Would love to speak to Tony re applying for SAPOL. I am struggling to communicate with the recruitment panel about the "type" of epilepsy I have. Seizure free for years, medication AND surgical controlled. Dehydration, nutrition induced seizures. I also get a blanket no. Would love some opinions/thoughts

[@alterman156channel]

Look carefully at the very end of the video. He has two different color eyes.

[@babypony11]

Can anyone pass on Tony’s details? I am currently in the same position with NSW police and my seizures are the exact same type as his. There is so much stigma attached with epilepsy. People are not educated on the types there are. Mine is mild also and I’m on a dose that children are on,my tablets are literally bubblegum flavour…that’s how much my child’s dose controls my epilepsy

[@opticalriot]

i have 5 gran mal a day without meds, 0 gran amls with meds,as long as I take it easy, but everyone wants me to work not that i am "seizure free" I dont think anyone, is ever seizure free, even people that never had seizures before. they can have them

[@JOHNNYCARCIN0GEN]

Yea lost my job as a firefighter after three years when I had my first gran mal. That shit wouldn't fly in America where police actually carry real weapons.

[@hydernoori146]

dude that shit sucks..what happened? what triggered it? I had one 3 years ago but medicine have kept it in check..so, why they fired you? what if you use medicine to keep it under control?

[@GyricRaid]

+Phil Katz Aussie cops do carry real weapons mate. This video is just a watered outdated view they wanted to view this certain state police officer. Normally they're wearing a vest and have tasers attached to the front with a smith n wesson M&P 40 more stuff similar to U.S cops minus the physical badge because other countries don't do the whole pin badge thing. They wanted a friendly view of the police instead of the whole armoured up look.