Famous People with Epilepsy

Epilepsy is a chronic neurological disorder. It is characterized by heightened activity in the brain. While it is regarded as a neurological disorder, it isn’t just one disorder as defined in medical science. Epilepsy can be a combination of many neurological disorders, whose causes or severity may or may not be known.

Justice John Roberts

Epilepsy usually sets in during infancy or among elderly. Kids who have epilepsy may have worse symptoms and seizures as they grow up. Epilepsy is often congenital or genetic.

List of Famous People with Epilepsy

There are many famous people with epilepsy. It is interesting to note that the condition is regarded as being very common in developing countries but in reality, most of the famous people afflicted have been from urban societies or developed nations. Most celebrities and other notables with epilepsy have lived a life of privilege or have achieved more than what an ordinary man does by the time they were diagnosed with the condition.

Baffling, Simply Baffling …

Since many world famous people have had epilepsy, it has baffled historians, scholars and biographers as to whether there is any connection of the disorder with achievement. There is no medical evidence that suggests heightened activity in the brain being related to the ability to do great things or to achieve what others cannot. However, the correlation of epilepsy and famous persons achieving much more than their peers cannot be overlooked.

Florence Griffith Joyner

The list of famous people with epilepsy include actors, writers, artists or painters, religious personalities, scientists, politicians, royals, athletes and warriors among others. Danny Glover and Bud Abbott are among the many actors who have or had epilepsy. Michael IV the Paphlagonian, Pope Pius IX, Caligula, Prince John of the United Kingdom, Joe Doyle and John Roberts are some of the famous people of different eras who had epilepsy. These people were diagnosed and their cases had been accorded certainty.

Seizure Later …

Many musicians had epilepsy when they were young and went on to become famous despite having seizures and being on medication. Some of the musicians include Neil Young, Lil Wayne, Lindsey Buckingham, Susan Boyle and Prince.

There have also been many of athletes who achieved in spite of this condition. Sportspersons like Grover Cleveland Alexander, Buddy Bell, Bobby Jones, Florence Griffith Joyner, Ronde Barber and Tiki Barber among others had epilepsy.

Fyodor Dostoyevsky

On Spec …

Some of the greatest and most notable people of all times may have had epilepsy. The likes of Socrates, Julius Caesar, Plato, Joan of Arc, and Alexander are among the many famous persons who are speculated to have suffered from epilepsy, but not confirmed.

Conclusion …

Even though epilepsy is a serious condition, there are many throughout history who have elevated society in spite of their medical conditions.