Our family has learned more about epilepsy than we ever thought we would have to. Chloe and Laura are cousins, and unfortunately, both of our daughters live with epilepsy. It’s shaped our lives in different ways, and it’s brought us together in wanting to raise funds for the Epilepsy Society.

Hannah and Laura's Story

Hannah was diagnosed with epilepsy at the end of last year, almost four years after a traumatic brain injury. She had chosen to train as a paramedic following her TBI, driven in part by her own experience of emergency care. Her epilepsy diagnosis has meant losing her driving licence and not being able to get her C1 licence for 10 years, hindering her ability to get a job on the frontline. This means Han is having to think creatively about where her paramedic science degree can take her.

Epilepsy affects around 600,000 people in the UK, and its impact on those living with it is significant. Unpredictable seizures can affect the ability to drive, work, socialise, and live independently.

The Epilepsy Society funds research into better treatments and provides support to help people with epilepsy live fuller lives. Hannah was given Keppra in the days after her TBI, then taken off it, and is now back on it following her seizures last year. Whether longer-term use after a brain injury might reduce the risk of epilepsy developing later is exactly the kind of question researchers are still working to answer. Every donation helps move that work forward.

We're incredibly proud of how Hannah continues to face all of this with real positivity and energy, still committed to her degree and as ever, living life to the max!

Piper & Chloe's Story

Piper was diagnosed when she was five years old after a series of unexpected seizures. With no family history, we still don’t know why she developed it, but what we do know is how brave and resilient she is in dealing with it. She takes daily medication that helps reduce the frequency and severity of her seizures, but unfortunately still experiences breakthrough events. She is aware and awake during her seizures and finds them very distressing. We hope to find a medication regime that can stop them from happening at all, and that she will grow out of them in adulthood. We're so proud of how she manages the things she has to face 😊

This June, Laura, Chloe and Liz (Chloe’s Mum, Laura’s Aunty!) are committing to run or walk 3 miles every day.

We would be incredibly grateful for any support you can give!