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

[Shammie2000]

Working part-time at a five and dime, Sorry about that ! my sister has it and it can be very scary at
times.

[fanoftruthiness]

Prince is a prolific writer and an incredible performer. He should have come out with this a long time ago and inspired many epileptics. My child has a seizure disorder and is a great football player.

[samilli3]

From experience, Epilepsy is horrible. God took care of me and I'll never stop being grateful for every day that i have not had a sezuire. 14 years now....Thi­s problem causes emotional problems for some peple....e­specially social anxiety disoder...­because one is always afraid of having a sezuire..i­t's like you have no control...­.Love you Prince. God is good.

[jillian222]

I understand your words completely, samilli3. Everyday that I am seizure free, I feel tremendous gratitude and hope.

[jillian222]

I write this post with the upmost respect for Prince. Being an epileptic myself, I know how difficult it is to live with a very misunderstood and mysterious condition. I suspect that they are many well known people who do not admit to having a seizure disorder, especially in the creative community.

His music should not be negatively dissected during a discussion about a very serious affliction that affects millions of children, young adults and people across the board.

During my own journey with Epilepsy, I have found a certain perceived stigma attached to having this condition.

In my eyes and heart, Prince remains a Legend and a man of true courage.

[FalconerHK]

Love him or hate him (or a bit of both), it's hard to dispute the cat's talent. From his revolutionary record deal with Warner at 17 - complete creative control - to present, he's arguably one of the first true "multimedia" artists to gain mainstream acceptance and success.

A great many of the lasting talents have been freaky. Mozart, Picasso, Debussey..­.

[joecoffie]

I am a 30 something year old dude who always ignored Prince or anything Prince. I first heard his greatest hits in 2004 at a bar in Redhook. There has been no turning back ever since. I have the entire catalog. The new one 'Lotusflow3r' is genius too.

[jamesmac10]

Prince, I admire you and stay away from the Scien tologist.

[Cheesemelt]

Idiopathic childhood epilepsy is not uncommon. It's too bad [insert symbol] could not have spoken up sooner as it provides great comfort to child and parent alike to know epilepsy is not always a lifelong disorder.

[LoriB]

Some people always have to find something to criticize. I guess they think it makes them seem better or more intelligent or more foresighted, or something.

[Cheesemelt]

And some people have trouble processing anything whatsoever that might cast their heros in anything other than a golden halo.

Fact is, I'm right and you just don't have the stomach for it.

[BeefBrisket]

In his song, "The Sacrifice of Victor" from the Symbol album, he sings about being "epileptic 'til the age of seven" and other events in his life. I think this is one of the reasons he gravitates to the number seven, including the fact that his b-day is on June 7th.
Kinda strange to me now, though I still love his old stuff with The R.evolutio­n.
O/T-- has anyone seen pics of his family? Ever?

[Witkacy]

You mean his blood relatives? Yeah, of course: I vaguely recall seeing his father, maybe just a picture; but I definitely recall seeing a TV interview with his older sister (I believe it was on Entertainment Tonight, more than a decade ago).

[frankiestage]

I saw his older sister perform (sing) live a few months back at small club in downtown Minneapolis. Nothing special going on with her musically (a spasmic mixture of funk and gospel, but with a voice too small to carry either), but it was interesting.

[LesaLesa]

He's still the best. No matter what up-and-coming stars are in the mix now, Prince is still my favorite. Genius.

[barriosbabe]

One of the greatest musicians that ever walked the Earth.

But for a slant on his personality, see the Kevin Smith evening DVDs (brilliant).

[WorldGoneWild]

Woo! I don't know if it's hot outside or me but I would pay good money to ditch my husband for the evening and "talk about heavy things" with Prince, Dr. Cornel West and Tavis Smiley. And for an encore, Prince can turn on the party lights and play "Party Like It's 1999" to jazz it up a little.

[Moonlighter]

Keep on keeping on, brother! I love the way you have reinvented the playing of the Stratocaster and Telecaster. Lord have Mercy. "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" comes to mind at the moment-- holy smokes.

If you want to throw down some licks for The Human Levee Music Project, get on in touch: http://www.humanlevee.com

[chevyval]

Love Prince. What a gift.

[livingfree]

Grew up not being able to listen to music like Prince but when I got into college, I listen to him. I heard his music by accident. Out all the artist that was around, Prince was special. You didn't hear crazy stuff that he did or said. He had some songs that I would play over and over until someone told me to change to the next song. The man was a good man and still is. Thank You Prince, for all the many years of your music. But I would like to know your beauty secret. You look the same as the first day that I saw a picture of you in 1979.