The Coconut Day: A poetic Interpretation of Seizure Experiences

Abstract: This article presents a fraction of an interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) of
people's seizure (ictal) experiences. In addition to undertaking individual analyses and across case
analyses, a poetic interpretation (SZTO, FURMAN & LANGER, 2005) of participant's words was
undertaken which focussed on bodily experiences and consciousness. The interpretations indicate
participants' awareness of biological events unfolding; their abilities (or not) to interact with others;
personal resignation to having the condition; and the effect epilepsy has on their lives. Although
people are not always able to respond appropriately to events external to them during a seizure,
having some conscious awareness allowed one man to act to save his life.