Personal stories of people affected by epilepsy
Epilepsy New Zealand works continuously to ensure that we raise awareness of epilepsy. Influencing attitudes helps us to fight discrimination and the social stigma associated with epilepsy. To achieve this goal we involve people with epilepsy and together we inform public opinion, educate the media and influence government policies. If you would like to share your story about epilepsy please contact: national@epilepsy.org.nz
Claire's StoryThursday, 24 November 2016 My wife Claire passed away in February this year from a cardiac arrhythmia caused by an epileptic seizure. Claire’s seizures started 3 and a half years prior to this, in June 2011. |
Dont Be too Proud to Ask for HelpThursday, 24 November 2016 James Robertson has come a long way since he had his first seizure at age 16. |
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Keeping a sense of humour after being diagnosed with epilepsyThursday, 24 November 2016 An epilepsy diagnosis can mean no more driving, difficulty getting a job and anxiety attacks, but a group in Levin are keeping their sense of humour. |
Talk About It Month for Epilepsy Awareness - Joanne NaeraThursday, 24 November 2016 People automatically associate convulsive seizures with epilepsy. But with so many types of epileptic and associated seizures the public is often unable to recognise common types. |
Epilepsy sufferer says 'let's talk about it'Thursday, 24 November 2016 At 14, Darcy Craig was diagnosed with a brain tumour and told he had 10 years to live. At 24, he wrote out his will - his biggest concern being who would inherit his beloved hip hop collection. Now 30, Darcy is "stunned to still be alive", and takes each year as a gift. His tumour hasn't grown in six years, but the epilepsy brought on by the tumour is an ongoing challenge. |
Stephen's StoryThursday, 24 November 2016 When I was born in Levin 48 years ago on New Year’s Day the nurses were intrigued because I laughed a lot and they had never heard a baby laugh. What I know now is that the laughing was a type of epilepsy. |
A normal life for her epileptic children is this mother's dreamThursday, 24 November 2016 Like all mothers, Cherena Hansen wants her family to live a normal life. But son Preston, 16, was diagnosed with epilepsy two years ago and her daughter Jasmine, 17, has blacked out a number of times and is undergoing tests which indicate she too could have the condition. |
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Carol's StoryThursday, 24 November 2016 I have had epilepsy probably all my life, but was not diagnosed until I was around about 8 years old. All my childhood I was extremely blessed in that my parents NEVER let my epilepsy stop me |
Six Impossible ThingsThursday, 24 November 2016 We want to share a special gift with you inspired by Lewis Carroll, the famous writer with epilepsy. “Sometimes I’ve believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast”, from Carroll’s book “Alice in Wonderland”, was the basis for a writing contest and was won by 14 year old Joshua Danoff 2011 for his poem “Six Impossible Things”. It is with abundant delight that we share Joshua’s poem with you. |