Early symptoms
Having educated himself about epilepsy, Rolle now knows he had shown symptoms for nearly two years.
He also understands that his status as a professional athlete gives him a certain responsibility for helping others similarly afflicted. Rolle said his foundation will start working with organizations concerned with epilepsy.
Among the letters, cards and e-mails offering support, it was a T-shirt sent to Rolle that has made the biggest impact on the former Pro Bowl player. He hung it in his locker at the team's training complex in Owings Mills.
It reads: "Don't discriminate against people with epilepsy."
Said Danisha Rolle: "So many fans have written in to say, `I have epilepsy and to hear your story has been tremendous. Thank you so much for coming out,' because there are people who have epilepsy that just don't want to say it. There's a stigma still."
Rolle's willingness to make his battle public is a much different stance from when it first occurred. The team announced Rolle was out because of an undisclosed "medical condition." While it took more than two months for Rolle to speak publicly about his condition, he quietly told a couple of reporters off the record that he had suffered a seizure.
He quickly realized he needed to get the facts out.
"My wife, my parents and I would read things on the Internet. There'd be all this speculation about what I had," Rolle said. "At that point, there was no purpose in hiding it. Honestly, I've felt better since I came out publicly. I get letters constantly. It lets you know that you're supported out there. I also never realized how much my life would change."
Rolle and Danisha have begun to educate their two oldest children, daughter Samara (8) and son Jamir (3), about his condition. The Rolles also have another daughter, Amari, 20 months.
"We're kind of letting them know in bits and pieces," said Danisha Rolle, who is publisher of Sports and Entertainment Today magazine. "Now it's to the point where my 3-year old will say, `Daddy, are you OK? Daddy, how are you feeling today?' "
Fear of unknown
Rolle said the initial fears of an unknown, unpredictable and seemingly unrelenting opponent raised doubts about whether he could continue his 10-year NFL career.
Those thoughts escalated when Rolle, who after being treated initially for a few weeks played against the St. Louis Rams and Buffalo, had the third seizure while sleeping at home one night in late October.
