Prince: "I Was Born Epileptic" (VIDEO)

Prince announced Monday night on PBS' "Tavis Smiley" show that he was born with epilepsy.

"I've never spoken about this before, but I was born epileptic, and I used to have seizures when I was young," he told Smiley. "My mother and father didn't know what to do or how to handle it but they did the best they could with what little they had."

Prince continued, telling Smiley about how grateful he is today as he looks back on his emotional childhood:

My mother told me one day I walked into her and said, 'Mom, I'm not gonna be sick anymore.' And she said, 'Why?' I said, 'Because an angel told me so.' Now, I don't remember saying it, that's just what she told me, and from that point on I've been having to deal with a lot of things, getting teased in school. Early in my career I tried to compensate for that by being as flashy as I could and as noisy as I could. I just looked forward to this time in my life when I could reflect back on it, and talk to people like yourself, Dr. Cornel West...when you all come over tot eh house and we sit and we just talk about heavy things, I just become thankful, I don't know.

Watch:

Comments

[Vivicca Whitsett]

You want to see something funny? Watch my standup set about attending the Prince concert in Los Angeles in March 2009.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q7esrbqgrFQ

Enjoy and let me know your thoughts..­.

;o)

[AngieMom57]

Is that really u? ... I laughed.

[AmazingChicken]

bailed 2 minutes in. Thought you said something funny?

[Vivicca Whitsett]

Awww....yo­u must be a member of the JWPP... no worries... there's no laughing in the JWPP.. lol

[kozmik]

Yeah Prince can be a little eccentric. But then again, there's not a lot of tax accountants and corporate middle managers making great music. So give the guy a break already.

[RoXXanne]

Great title for a new album!

[who38]

Epilepsy could use a little celebration. Esplecially since Depocate's (or is it Decopate?) side effects have become known.

[BalletMom]

Depakote.

[Xtian2045]

He is not anti-gay as many have suggested. If you read the article in question, his comment was taken out of context by many in the media, and many consumers accepted it as "truth" without reading it first. Nothing new there.
As for Prince, I think he is absolutely brilliant and his songs have touched me in a way no other music has.
He's often referred to as an 80's artist, but if you listen to his most recent albums like 3121 and Lotusflower or better yet, see him live in concert, you will find out why he still has many, many fans around the world.
Peace.

[cungar]

Chem trails huh Prince? Used to control the community right? And there were 8 presidents before Washington?

Just stick to music. Yoru conspiracy theory babble makes you look even more like a wack job.

[Springbirdgirl]

Actually, there were 8 presidents prior to Washington - I believe John Hancock was one of them. I think it has to do with the Continental Congress.

[jbeach]

"Articles of Confederation" too, probably. That was the US government between the success of the Revolution and the ratification of the Constitution.

[SuperBucky]

and lets not forget, a Homophobe.­.

[kylennblack]

So when will that angel come back and cure him of his sucky-music-itis? He hasn't made a decent album in 20 years.

[jbeach]

Probably when he starts writing with Wendy & Lisa again, like he was when he was in The Revolution.

[SILVANUS]

When Nuns Fly.

[MintysMom]

The more I hear Prince speak, the more I liked his reclusive years. The whole thing about Jehovahs Witnesses not voting is BS. If you can find that part of the Smiley interview, it went off a rail.

[who38]

I agree. I enjoy his music and don't need to know his politics..­..unless he is using his money to back an issue that I find objectionable.

[thelipstickfemme]

Wow, I love those black and white high hells that he had on.

He does not vote... due to religious beliefs...­well no need to complain I guess?

Strange man, brilliant yet isolated by religion.

[stevier]

Back in the day Prince, I used to love going to the roller rink, and skating to your tunes. God Bless.

[ApprxAm]

He's Jehovah's Witness? That's news.

[HRP]

Who cares?

[WRPrintz]

Sanity is no requirement for genius.

May I offer, exhibit- Prince Rogers Nelson.

[hackerblaster]

The day Prince had that video on youtube taken down of the baby dancing to 'lets go crazy' is the day i denounced him as something meaningful in my life. I was a fan from the first days he came out until he did that crap. screw prince..wh­o cares