Epilepsy Awareness Day

As a woman managing a busy household, raising two children, and working full‑time, life has always required strength and resilience. But nothing prepares you for the moment when your child is diagnosed with epilepsy. My world fell apart internally, yet I had to remain strong on the outside—for my family, and especially for my son.

When he appeared to have grown out of his seizures at age ten, we were overjoyed. We truly believed those difficult days were behind us. Sadly, it only gave him six years of peace before the seizures returned with full force.

At seventeen, after proudly passing his driving test, we received a phone call that changed everything. The police informed us that he had been involved in a car accident. We rushed to the hospital to find officers standing guard outside his room. When we were finally allowed in, we learned he had suffered a seizure behind the wheel. Instead of compassion, he was met with suspicion—treated as though he were intoxicated or under the influence. Only when his tests came back clear did they understand it was a medical emergency, not a crime.

Though he physically recovered, the emotional trauma stayed with him. From that moment on, he developed full‑blown epilepsy and could no longer drive. His life changed overnight. Friends drifted away, and he felt isolated and uncertain about his future.

This year he turns forty. He has learned to cope with the reality of living with epilepsy, but the fear never fully disappears. Every seizure carries a risk. As a family, we live on constant alert, always dreading that phone call none of us ever want to receive.

This is why Epilepsy Awareness Day is so important.

It is a chance to educate, to support, and to challenge the stigma that still surrounds this condition. Epilepsy is not a choice. It is not something to judge or fear. It affects real people, real families, and real lives.

On this meaningful day, I ask everyone to join us in raising awareness and showing compassion. Together, we can create understanding, reduce stigma, and help ensure that no one living with epilepsy feels alone.

Please stand with us. Spread the message. Help make a difference.

626,000 people in the UK are living with epilepsy and 79 people are diagnosed every single day. I'm fundraising for Epilepsy Action this Purple Day to help make sure people with epilepsy continue to get the support they need, when they need it most.

Your contribution will help more people take control of their epilepsy. Whether you donate £5, £50 or £500, every little bit helps. Thank you for your support.

To find out more about Purple Day and the work Epilepsy Action does, visit www.epilepsy.org.uk/purple