The Brain Charity

It was meant to be a simple afternoon stroll – a peaceful family outing along a local cycle path. But for Emma*, that fateful day would go on to transform the entire course of her life.

Emma tripped along a disused railway track, following her little sister, and sustained a severe head injury. After the accident she was rushed to hospital, with the injury triggering her first epileptic seizure just one week later.

Emma’s is a journey that has brought both challenges and remarkable moments of resilience. Here, she shares her story.

What is epilepsy?

Epilepsy is a condition that affects the brain. It causes frequent, unexpected seizures, which are bursts of electrical activity in the brain. These bursts disrupt normal brain signals, causing various physical reactions.

For each person, seizures can look and feel different, making epilepsy a unique experience for everyone. Some people have brief moments of ‘zoning out’, while others may experience convulsions or muscle spasms. There are many different kinds of epilepsy.

Can a head injury cause epilepsy?

The exact cause of epilepsy isn’t always clear. Some people are born with a genetic tendency that may increase their chances of developing epilepsy. In other cases, epilepsy is caused by events or injuries that impact the brain, including:

• Stroke
• Brain tumour
• Brain infection (encephalitis)
• Serious head injuries
• Lack of oxygen during birth
• Substance misuse, such as drugs or alcohol

For Emma, her head injury was the beginning of her life with epilepsy. The condition brought her many new challenges, impacting her time at school and work, her relationships and independence.

Emma’s journey with epilepsy

After her first seizure, Emma’s life took an unexpected turn. School became difficult; she faced bullying and struggled with her studies. Epilepsy often meant missing out on social events, which made her feel isolated.

As she grew older, the condition continued to impact her daily life. Over the years, she lost her driving licence three times, making it hard to stay independent and access job opportunities.

Epilepsy didn’t just affect her work; it also had an effect on Emma’s relationships.

She said:

“35 years passed in a flurry of bullying, struggling at school, losing my driving licence three times, losing three jobs.

“Getting into a challenging relationship living in fear and sadly losing two friends to epilepsy too.”

Yet, she didn’t let these experiences define her.

Turning pain into purpose

Emma remained determined to achieve her dreams. After losing her third job due to her condition, she decided to pursue her lifelong goal of becoming an author.

Emma went on to write a book called Jo’s Hidden Secrets.

In her book, Jo, the main character, lives with epilepsy.

Through Jo’s experiences, Emma explores the daily challenges faced by people living with epilepsy and mental health conditions.

Her book discusses managing symptoms, dealing with stigma, and navigating relationships and work.

Emma wanted to use her story to show epilepsy brings challenges, there’s also strength in facing them.

Emma explained to us:

“After [a] third job dismissed me it made me determined to achieve my lifelong dream of becoming an author.

“So, after so many negatives, finally my life was flurry of positives.

“From a charity helping me publish my book Jo’s Hidden Secrets which raises money for charities close to my heart, to multiple charities saving my life in multiple ways, especially getting from a really dark place.”

Finding support and giving back

Emma’s book is more than a personal story. Through Jo’s Hidden Secrets, she shows on the importance of support.

Living with epilepsy isn’t easy, but Emma found help along the way. In her toughest moments, she turned to the NHS and various charities, which offered her care, compassion, and understanding.

In her book, Emma highlights these organisations and the support they provide to people with neurological conditions.

She credits them with giving her the strength to manage the emotional impact of epilepsy.

The care she received inspired her to raise awareness and help others living with similar challenges.

Emma’s mission to help others

Today, Emma is not only an author but also an advocate. She uses her voice to spread awareness about epilepsy, hoping to reduce the stigma and promote understanding.

She wants to change the way people view epilepsy, and show is it possible to live a full, meaningful life.

By sharing her story, she hopes to inspire others to live boldly and find strength in the support around them. Emma believes that no one should face epilepsy alone, and she continues to spread this message of hope and empowerment.

She added:

“It’s always important to give people hope and know there’s charities out there to help them.”

At The Brain Charity, we support people like Emma who live with all forms of neurological condition. Whether it’s epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s, or Alzheimer’s, we provide a community of care and practical support.

We’re here to connect people with resources, expert advice, and the support they need to feel less isolated on their journey.

*Emma is a pen name