Elle began having seizures during her childhood. Here she shares her experiences and how she wants to encourage people to not feel ashamed of having epilepsy.

Epilepsy is one of the main things in my life. But having epilepsy hasn’t made my life rubbish, it’s made me face things differently.

I thought I would tell people what it actually is like having epilepsy.

It started when I was a baby. During my childhood, if I was ill or anything, I would take a seizure and it would drain me. When I got to about 10 years old, I got told I would grow out of it.

I didn’t like talking about it because I was always scared people would say I was lying or joking about it but a couple of years back I took a really bad seizure, which was a massive shock to me. It really made me feel awful and drained me.

When my mum made me go to the doctors, they made me go to hospital for a MRI scan from then I got put on the medication, which I am on now.

Don’t be ashamed

When I first started taking my anti-epileptic medication, it made really ill, anxious and depressed. I felt like that for a few months.

However, I have now taken it for nearly two years and although some of the side effects still affects me, I know they are helping me.

I just want to put out there to people not to feel ashamed of having epilepsy or anything.

I honestly thought I couldn’t live my dream and get to where I am now but I am quite happy now so if your reading this your not alone!

If you would like to share your experiences of living with epilepsy, please email David Coates our Communications Officer on dcoates@epilepsyscotland.org.uk or call 0141 427 4911.