I mentioned on Sunday that I dyed my hair purple for Epilepsy Awareness Month. So you know why I dyed my hair, but have you wondered what I’m really hoping to accomplish by doing this?

I know my purple hair (and nail polish, and even clothes), isn’t going to change the world. They aren’t going to find a cure for epilepsy because I’m going purple this month. I don’t know that it will have any kind of impact at all (although I have had the opportunity to talk to quite a few people about epilepsy already, when they’ve commented on my unusual choice of hair color), but that doesn’t matter, because it’s not why I did it.

The reason I dyed it is really as a reminder to people dealing with this disorder that they are not alone. I’ve had some experience in this department. Every April, when it’s Autism Awareness Month, I hear from friends who are wearing blue and thinking about Moose. Do I expect them to change the world, find a cure for autism, or even teach others about Moose’s disorder? Of course not. But what I do know is that when they go blue, and particularly when they make a point of mentioning it to me, they are reminding me that we are not alone. There are people who care about us, who are thinking about us and praying for us, and hoping for the absolute best for Moose. It’s a small thing on their part, and they probably have no idea what it can mean to me on a dark day, to know that I’m not alone, but even a small gesture can be a huge deal to an individual.

So, that’s why I’m purple this month. If someone manages to learn something about epilepsy while talking to me, great! But really, I want my friends to remember that they are not alone, that there is someone thinking about and praying for them, and that someday cares, even on those dark days when it’s hard to find hope.