COLD DIP A DAY FOR DOUGLAS

Today I start my challenge of a cold dip every day in January. This is to raise money for EPILEPSY ACTION & HOPE FOR EPILEPSY LONDON.

This year has been our toughest year as parents, as our 3 year old Douglas started with epilepsy. It is something, admittedly, we knew very little about. Watching your tiny person have a full tonic clonic seizure is terrifying. For a time it was hard to come to terms with and made our world feel very scary and small. That was until our dear nurse friend Hayley recommended EPILEPSY ACTION as a support platform.

It has been invaluable in learning to deal with our "new normal". We struggled explaining to a 3 year old what was happening to him. The online videos and book they offered were priceless!

Douglas wanted to read the book about a little boy with epilepsy 20 times in a row, initially turning to us and asking "do I have epilepsy, I don't want epilepsy", which broke our hearts. A few reads later and he said "it's okay as everyone looks after him".

Our epilepsy nurse also put us in touch with HOPE FOR EPILEPSY LONDON who provided us with a seizure alarm for nighttime and an anti suffocation pillow, which we appreciate hugely and made bedtimes less anxious for us as parents.

His anxiety over seizures has decreased with this support. Armed with info, trust in medication and medical staff ours slowly is too. Yet as parents it's always in our minds, which is why I want to give something back.

Anyone can start with epilepsy in their lifetime.

EPILEPSY ACTION and HOPE FOR EPILEPSY LONDON are creating a world without limits for everyone affected by epilepsy, connecting people with others, and providing support and information you can trust. They're calling out the misunderstanding, prejudice and barriers that stop people with epilepsy living their best life.

For any of my friends wanting to join me for a swim, please do! I'll be going to my local pool of Coniston Water for most of my chilly dips.

Wish me luck and please give what you can to these two amazing charities!

Eve xxx