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In honor of Purple Day and the incredible journey both Genevieve and I have taken with epilepsy, we're offering a storewide 20% off sale on March 25th and 26th at Genevieve’s Dream and Researcher. This sale is more than a discount—it’s a celebration of awareness, progress, and the powerful legacy Cassidy Megan began when she created Purple Day in 2008.

Many know that both Genevieve and I have Severe Epilepsy, but most don’t know about Purple Day. So, let’s learn while I share some fantastic news about my own Epilepsy Journey.

I have overwhelming news on Purple Day for Epilepsy Awareness; it’s just too much to try to get anyone enjoying the day to absorb, so I’m publishing it tonight with a lot of my feelings as well as how inspiring it was to watch a Canadian by the name of Cassidy Megan create this day in 2008. I was still working as a Civil Rights lobbyist, entrenched in social media support groups I made for people with Epilepsy; this was far before I ingested Cannabis and CBD oils a dozen years ago.

“I’ve never done this before, especially with a head injury like yours and a history of so many ICU stays, but the last one was 13 years ago.” He went on, “I admit it’s intimidating, but you agree, and we can stop the slow wean at any time. I’m making notice to the insurance company that you have no sign of Severe Refractory Epilepsy and have not displayed EEGs consistent with anything more than Epilepsy NOS (not otherwise specified), for quite some time.” -My Neurologist changing the ‘statement of disability’ that allowed me to gain the ‘ticket to work’ status.

This plan includes leaving disability after 30 years. It allows a return if I revert to the prior status for any reason. Needless to say, I don’t trust the future of SSI or SSDI anyway. In the past, any examiner has considered it a ‘fantasy’ or something of the ‘severely cognitively impaired’ – essentially, anything I did, including cofounding a Nanotech Corporation and never making income. Paying State taxes on no income “proved I still had a severe cognitive impairment.”

That entity has merged with my Global Cannabinoid Research Center, which has never generated a dime. It’s easy to see why an examiner would know the diagnosis of severe cognitive impairment along with Severe Refractory Epilepsy and wrap up the file, despite what comes out of my mouth or on written paper, until they see proof. I explained this to my neurologist and pulled a pitch deck for the merged corporation.

“Let’s order cognitive testing and that will force them to give you the ticket; at best, I see a mild cognitive delay – it would be a stretch to call it impairment, but It might be by a psychologist. An impairment suggests dementia onset but you’re moving backwards on the impairment scale 3 decades after an extremely bad TBI” He told me and went on to say that I’m a guy with PTSD who has seizures that are barely Epileptic now and might forget a few things because of a nasty hit to the head 3 decades ago. “It seems pretty miraculous, although I believe in science this is a form of neurogenesis that has occurred over time.”

 

Wow, my diagnosis has officially changed, and now the Severe Cognitive Impairment is going away; there’s no way I’ll hit that mark, but I am a realist and will take a mild diagnosis, two huge downgrades neurologically. I’ve known this for 2 weeks, but it’s almost like a survivor’s guilt thing; when do I talk about it?

When you have this monster on your shoulders, you stay busy, knowing it could strike any moment. I was traveling the nation on pro bono cases representing developmentally delayed kids in special education disputes and specializing in the worst types—restraint, seclusion, and abuse cases. As a non-attorney rep, I also noticed that Due Process lawsuits and Civil Rights Division complaints to the USDOJ were rampant, as were the OCR complaints, which are a thing of the past due to the recent dismantling of the USDOE.

The point is, if a school district or state was out of line, I attacked without pay and hit every last entity that would investigate, including litigation, to bring it before an administrative law judge – always detailing the actions of non-disabled adults against the kids. It often caused seizures at night, a few times in bathrooms during the hearing, a brief pause, and they’d resume.

Having Epilepsy is so many things, but rarely is even one of them positive

For kids and parents alike, how horrific is this thing? It’s like living in a nightmare that none of us wants, especially parents. Being Genevieve’s Dad now, I’ve been in the ER with her, I’ve been by her side in the Ambulance – It chewed me up inside, bad. I despise the thoughts I don’t want – in the back of my mind – what Epilepsy can do to her, I’m old and have lived. Genevieve is my focus, her future and having the best life is my mission. 

The things we deal with though, all the stigmas and people have this fear of you; this seizure thing is unknown, and heaven forbid may you ‘have one on them’ – this is the thinking of the average human. It could be you, but it’s not saying anything negative about you; seizures are scary – especially to those of us who have them. I understand because you want me to accept you for who you are, especially in 2025.

And if I don’t? Wow, the humility that could come crashing down on me. But you don’t have to accept me—you can ignore me, not invite me, or even discuss what might happen behind my back, even professionally. I’ve seen screenshots and overheard conversations, and it happens to us a lot. Sadly, over the past 25 years, I’ve gotten used to that treatment – but now there’s news and things are changing for the better. 

 

 

A lot of people are born with them due to genetic anomalies. Many will have a hit to the head or other types of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) like a wreck, serious illness, drug interaction, stroke, or some other issue generally involving a shortage of oxygen and end up with Epilepsy as a result. Then, there are so many types of seizures, and it’s overwhelming.

I started using cannabinoids only about 10 days before seeing the faces of Charlotte Figi and her mom, Paige, in a newspaper article, as I couldn’t understand a roommate giving me these herbal medicinal balls. I figured out that it was cannabinoids helping me – and my life and mission in it changed drastically. Every path possible led me to cannabinoids, other plants, and the Endocannabinoid System, where I find the true benefits for all of us.

But what is Purple Day?

 

Origin of Purple Day: A Movement Sparked by One Brave Girl

Purple Day, now a global movement for epilepsy awareness, began in 2008 with the vision of a young Canadian girl named Cassidy Megan. Living with Epilepsy herself, Cassidy wanted to break the silence and stigma surrounding the condition. Her goal was simple yet powerful: to get people talking about Epilepsy and to let others with seizures know that they are not alone. She chose purple—often associated with courage and strength—to symbolize the cause, and Purple Day was born.

 

The First Steps: From Local Effort to Growing Awareness

That same year, Cassidy’s idea caught the attention of the Epilepsy Association of The Maritimes (EAM), which stepped in to help bring her vision to life. Their support gave Purple Day a platform to grow within Canada, creating educational opportunities and engaging communities in conversations around Epilepsy. The message was clear: Epilepsy is more common than people think, and awareness is the first step to understanding.

 

Going Global: The Power of Partnership

In 2009, the initiative took a significant leap forward. Cassidy and the EAM joined forces with The Anita Kaufmann Foundation, a U.S.-based organization dedicated to epilepsy education and outreach. Together, they launched Purple Day as an international campaign, determined to change how the world sees Epilepsy. With this new global alliance, Purple Day quickly gained momentum across borders.

 

A Worldwide Movement: Purple with Purpose

Thanks to the collaborative efforts of Cassidy Megan, the Epilepsy Association of The Maritimes, and The Anita Kaufmann Foundation, Purple Day has become a Worldwide Symbolic Day of Epilepsy Awareness. Each year, on March 26, people in more than 100 countries wear purple, share stories, and host events designed to inform, empower, and support. The movement has inspired schools, businesses, nonprofits, politicians, and even celebrities to join the cause—each one helping to shine a light on what living with Epilepsy means.

 

More Than a Day: A Lasting Legacy

What started as a heartfelt idea from a young girl has become a legacy of education, support, and community. Purple Day is a reminder that anyone—regardless of age—can spark change. It’s also a call to act, learn more, speak out, and stand in solidarity with those living with Epilepsy every day of the year.

In honor of Purple Day, Genevieve’s Dream and Researcher will have a Storewide 20% off sale for the next 2 days, on March 25th and 26th – Purple Day.

And please wear Purple for Genevieve and me!

© Mike Robinson, The Researcher, Founder of Genevieve’s Dream