Last night we went to see these two brilliant hilarious musicians and I loved 99% of the night. But there’s one song they do that I just can’t enjoy. I kept trying to stop being so sensitive, it’s just a joke, but their song ‘Epileptic Dogs’ I can’t find funny. I feel so dumb. I’m sure if it was a joke about some other disorder I would laugh but I just can’t see the humour! Here are the words:
Think about the epileptic dogs / Not all the puppies are born so lucky / Somewhere there’s a golden retriever, who’s having a seizure / Somewhere there’s a pup seizin’ up / And theres a labrador who’s shakin on the floor
Think about the epileptic dogs / Send lots of money, to stop these dogs from actin’ funny / Send a check in the letter to make a setter feel better / Come on and make a donation and save a shaky dalmatian
This is the remix / Epilep lep lep, Epileptic / Epilep lep lep lep Epileptic / Ep Ep Epilep lep lep, Epileptic / Ep Ep Epilep lep lep, Epileptic / Ep Ep Epileptic
I’m sure I’m overreacting right? What does everyone think?
my-epilepsy 
You are not over reacting. Good comedians have routines where they get laughs at their own expense. It is alright for me to make comments about myself due to my advancing years. It is not alright for a younger person to mock me because I may be starting to show symptoms of advancing years.
I feel the same way about my bipolar. I get that people aren’t being malicious, rather are laughing at the same behaviors that I laugh at myself for. I even encourage others to laugh with me. But when I see it portrayed on TV as a defense for bad behaviour, I die a little inside.
I guess, at the end of the day, we have a choice to take offense or not. All we can do is offer our stories to others in the hope that an understanding of epilepsy and bipolar will make people think twice about the comments they make.
Brilliant blog post, as always! X