My experience of growing up with epilepsy
Ashleigh was diagnosed with epilepsy when she was just 11 months old. Thanks to surgery, Ashleigh hasn’t had a seizure since March 2018. Below she shares her experiences growing up with epilepsy.
How businesses can support someone with epilepsy
Our Chief Executive, Lesslie Young looks at how businesses can help support someone with epilepsy to increase their chances of employment.
12 most common seizure triggers
Our Helpline & Information Officer, Uschi Stickroth looks at 12 common seizure triggers and how you can help control them.
My experiences of training with Epilepsy Scotland
Care and Support Worker, Maureen Smullen, shares her experiences of undergoing epilepsy awareness training with Epilepsy Scotland.
Epilepsy and methadone
The last policy blog post focussed on a new epilepsy register. It is currently being piloted in NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde and NHS Tayside. Epilepsy Scotland is very supportive of this register. We believe it will improve knowledge about epilepsy and drive better standards of care.
Make your business Epilepsy Friendly
Nicola Milne, Training Manager at Epilepsy Scotland looks at how our Epilepsy Friendly Award helps educate businesses and their employees to be more aware of epilepsy.
Helpline Marketing Volunteer
We are looking for a Helpline Marketing Volunteer to join our Communications team in our Head Office in Glasgow.
Complementary therapies and epilepsy
Bruce Shiell, Wellbeing Worker at Epilepsy Scotland looks at how complementary therapies in conjuction with anti-epileptic medication can have a positive impact on your wellbeing.
What to expect when you’re not expecting
Heather Morrow experienced constant feelings of self-doubt and felt that due to living with epilepsy, it would make her a bad mother. However, thanks to Epilepsy Scotland’s Wellbeing Service, Heather is now confident and looking forward to one day becoming a parent. Below she shares her experiences.
Can epilepsy register help understanding of epilepsy?
There are an estimated 55,000 people in Scotland with epilepsy. However, these are not exact figures. At the moment, NHS Scotland does not record the number of people who have epilepsy.
Issues important to men living with epilepsy
Our Helpline & Information Officer, Stuart Macgee looks at issues, which are relevant and important to men living with epilepsy.
My experience of living with epilepsy for 32 years
It has been great that people are sharing their experiences of living with epilepsy to help raise more awareness of the condition. This month, Andrew who has been living with epilepsy for 32 years, shares his epilepsy story.
Epilepsy and the justice system
Our Chief Executive, Lesslie Young explains the work Epilepsy Scotland is doing to help people working in the justice system understand epilepsy. Also, it’s impact and how some behaviour can be easily misinterpreted.
Trustees Week: Why I became a trustee
This week is Trustees’ Week and we felt it was a great opportunity to get to know our trustees and also why they joined Epilepsy Scotland. Below Kevin Roger who is the new chairperson of our board explains why he joined as a trustee.
Trustees Week: Why I became a trustee
This week is Trustees’ Week and we are sharing some stories of why our trustees joined Epilepsy Scotland. Below Lesley Carruthers shares her trustee story.
Identifying depression in young people
Bruce Shiell, Wellbeing Worker at Epilepsy Scotland looks at how being diagnosed with epilepsy can affect self-esteem for many children and how parents can identify signs of depression.
How jewellery can help with epilepsy and mental health
Inspired by her experiences of living with epilepsy and anxiety, jewellery designer Kim Tiong shares how she has created jewellery to help people with anxiety and depression.
Brexit update – Supply of medicines
Epilepsy Scotland, along with several other charities, met with the Scottish Government’s Principal Pharmaceutical Officer and Head of Medicines Policy earlier this year. This was to discuss the continued supply of medicines in the event of a no-deal Brexit.
65 years of Epilepsy Scotland
We are celebrating our 65th anniversary next month and our Chief Executive, Lesslie Young looks at 65 years of Epilepsy Scotland.
My experience of living with photosensitive epilepsy
We are looking for people to share their experiences of living with epilepsy and get people talking about epilepsy to help fight the stigma attached to the condition. This month, Jenni who has photosensitive epilepsy, describes her experiences and how she had her first seizure whilst on a plane going to Australia.
Epilepsy and sleep: Ways to get a good night’s rest
Our Helpline & Information Officer, Uschi Stickroth looks at a lack of sleep and how being tired is a common seizure trigger and ways to help improve your sleep.
Ways to help you stay healthy at work
Bruce Shiell, Wellbeing Worker at Epilepsy Scotland looks at ways to stay healthy at work.
Epilepsy Scotland’s National Conference
Following the success of our last conference in Edinburgh, we have decided to host an event in Glasgow, Saturday 2 November. The conference will focus on individualised methods to treating and managing epilepsy.
Epilepsy and memory: How to improve your memory
Stuart Macgee, Helpline & Information Officer at Epilepsy Scotland looks at epilepsy and memory and how you can improve your memory.
Artist Helen Butler shares her experiences of epilepsy
Artist Helen Butler will be exhibiting at Lifeworks19 art for Epilepsy Scotland exhibition next month. Here Helen shares her experience of being diagnosed with epilepsy at a young age and why she started to take up art.
Epilepsy Scotland’s Annual General Meeting
Our Chief Executive, Lesslie Young looks ahead to our Annual General Meeting on Saturday.
How to reduce stress and anxiety
Bruce Shiell, Wellbeing Worker at Epilepsy Scotland looks at ways to reduce stress and anxiety, which for some people may be a seizure trigger.
Raising awareness of SUDEP – Alana’s story
Hayley McGurk was diagnosed with epilepsy when she was just nine years old after having her first seizure in primary school. Unfortunately, when Hayley was 20 years old her seizures got worse and sadly, she passed away due to Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP) in 2015.
Introducing our teachers guide
Uschi Stickroth, Helpline & Information Officer, at Epilepsy Scotland provides information on what to expect from our new teachers guide and how it can help teachers look after children living with epilepsy.
My experience of living with epilepsy
We are looking to encourage people to start talking about epilepsy and share their experiences. Each month, we will be sharing these on our website and on social media. This month, Shona shares her experiences of being diagnosed at a young age and how epilepsy has affected her.
Our Petition about Personal Independence Payment
For the past few months we have been campaigning about social security – specifically Personal Independence Payment (PIP).
Making your business Epilepsy Friendly
Our Chief Executive, Lesslie Young talks about our Epilepsy Friendly Award.
Coming to terms with a diagnosis of epilepsy
Bruce Shiell, Wellbeing Worker at Epilepsy Scotland looks at how you can come to terms with a diagnosis of epilepsy.
New guidelines for Buccal Midazolam
The Epilepsy Nurses Association (ESNA) has launched new best practice training guidelines for the administration of Buccal Midazolam for epilepsy patients.
Travelling abroad living with epilepsy
Stuart Macgee, Helpline & Information Officer at Epilepsy Scotland provides a few things people living with epilepsy should consider when travelling abroad.
Introducing our new Ayrshire Information Service
Our Chief Executive, Lesslie Young explains the exciting launch of our new Ayrshire Information Service.
Mental health for children living with epilepsy
Last week, we discussed the problem of mental health in children who have epilepsy. We noted the significantly higher rates of mental health problems in children with epilepsy and how it is currently under diagnosed and not recognised. NHS Lothian has developed and piloted an effective screening method.
The Scottish Budget – Mental Health
In December 2018, the Scottish Budget was announced. This decided Scottish Government spending for 2019/2020. We noticed that in the budget mental health received a significant amount of attention – something which we fully support.
Exciting times for Epilepsy Scotland
Our Chief Executive, Lesslie Young shares some of the exciting advances, achievements and developments within Epilepsy Scotland so far this year.
Why I decided to fundraise for Epilepsy Scotland
One of our fundraisers, Ben Smith explains why he started fundraising for Epilepsy Scotland.
Staying safe with epilepsy guide
Uschi Stickroth, Helpline & Information Officer at Epilepsy Scotland explains how our revised Staying safe with epilepsy guide can help identify and minimise possible risks.
Volunteer Focus: Kimberley Burns
Kimberley Burns has been volunteering with Epilepsy Scotland for the past couple of months and has been involved in helping out with collections and events. This week is National Volunteers Week and below Kimberley explains why she got involved with Epilepsy Scotland and why others should think about volunteering as well.
First Neurological Action Plan developed
The Scottish Government have developed the first Neurological Action Plan. This is a significant step forward in improving how people with neurological conditions are cared for. Also, after consulting people with neurological conditions, clinicians and third sector organisations, the Government came up with five aims and seventeen commitments.
My experience of studying abroad with epilepsy
Our #TalkEpilepsy campaign aims to encourage people living with epilepsy to share their experiences. University student, Milo Trainor Moss shares his experiences of studying abroad with epilepsy and having seizures while travelling overseas.
Why we created the #TalkEpilepsy campaign
Robyn Friel, Head of Fundraising and Communications at Epilepsy Scotland explains why we created the #TalkEpilepsy campaign.
Tom Davies shares his epilepsy story
As part of our #TalkEpilepsy campaign we are encouraging people living with epilepsy to share their experiences to help fight the stigma and show that epilepsy is more than just seizures. Long-time supporter of Epilepsy Scotland, Tom Davies shares his experiences of being diagnosed with epilepsy when he was 15 years old.
Lets Talk Epilepsy
We are launching a national campaign during National Epilepsy Week, which aims to highlight the dangers of having a seizure and encourage the general public to learn basic first aid tips to help people with epilepsy.
Facing my fears to help people with epilepsy
Our Chief Executive, Lesslie Young is doing a skydive to raise money for Epilepsy Scotland. Here Lesslie explains why.
Benefits system for people living with epilepsy podcast
Epilepsy Scotland’s first ever podcast focuses on the most frequently asked questions that come through our Helpline & Information service regarding the benefits system for people living with epilepsy. One of our Welfare Rights Officers, Tracey Millar answers questions regarding Personal Independence Payment and Employment Support Allowance and much more.
Comedian Maisie Adam: Growing up with epilepsy
Read our interview with comedian Maisie Adam about growing up with epilepsy.
