Dating in the Dark

For many years, Jeffrey Demitrack searched for a meaningful and fulfilling relationship and, most of all, hoped that one day he would find a significant other who understood and unconditionally accepted his struggles with epilepsy. People have their insecurities, and relationships already are hard without throwing seizures into the mix, so his search has been a challenging one. When first diagnosed with epilepsy at ten years old, he knew that society believed many negative stigmas about the terrible illness. This would surely be an obstacle when communicating about epilepsy to dates and potential partners. The stress of relationships, the anxiety of illness, and the impact of seizures on mood and behavior all played a part in making his interactions tough and, many times, traumatic. Significant others and dates got to witness some of his worst seizure moments. The seizures often came with blood and scars and sometimes got nasty. This is a story that gives insights about overcoming pain and suffering from a brutal and relentless disorder but, at the same time, explores the complexities of intimacy, foreplay, conflict, and the overall process of maturing to be a better lover in a relationship. He details the traumas of epilepsy and the passions of love but, at the same time, explains the confusion and darkness one might find oneself in with such losses of consciousness.

-- Jeffrey Demitrack