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Title: Living with Epilepsy
Author: Claire Wilcox
Theme: being me
Story: My name is Claire, and I have epilepsy. I fell out of bed when I was nine years old and could not stop shaking. I was rushed to the hospital by ambulance and had a lot of tests done. My dad was at the hospital with me. I remember that day clearly, even now when my results came back. There were tears in my dad’s eyes when the doctor said epilepsy. This was very upsetting for me, because as well as hearing that I had epilepsy it was the first time that I had ever seen my father cry.

I have had a lot of falls, have broken my wrists twice and cracked my head open six times. I cannot drive, or ride a bike and am scared of stairs. I have to have somebody with me if I want to go swimming. Three years ago I went head over heals down the stairs, cracked my head open on the radiator and broke my back on the stairs. I would not have actually survived this epileptic fit due to an infection if my husband and his son did not ring for an ambulance, or keep about nine towels to my head and try to keep me still while waiting for the ambulance. I could not stop fitting due to my head bleeding.

I am now 40 years old. I have a beautiful twelve year old daughter Clara. Clara is good when I am bad, because even though she finds it hard sometimes Clara stays calm and knows exactly what to do. I just get on with my life, even though I have to take depression tablets as the epilepsy gets me down. I have to learn to live with it. I sometimes see people worse off, but my daughter keeps me going as I love her to bits. Clara keeps me busy and on my toes to take my mind off other things.

I go to college three times a week. I attend a creative writing course, Everyday English and maths. My work that I do at college is good. I do enjoy it and like being able to improve my skills. I also meet new friends, have a laugh, sometimes even with the teachers too. I am proud of myself for going back to college and doing what I missed a lot of at school because of having time off with my epilepsy.
IMAGE Man undergoing medical procedure