Website Answers Questions About Young People And Epilepsy

I’ve just received this press release:

Four young people from Devon who live with epilepsy have become ITV Fixers to share their experiences in a website for others like them.

Epilepsy affects nearly half a million people in the UK, with young people among the most affected – yet until now there has been no web resource aimed specifically at this age group. This has all changed with the launch of http://www.youthepilepsy.com.

The website was the idea of Sarah Williams, aged 21 from Exeter, who was frustrated by the lack of epilepsy information designed with young people in mind. She says:

“When I was younger I wasn’t told what was wrong with me, and health professionals were talking to my parents and not me – the most important person. I had to learn as I got older what epilepsy actually is. I don’t want other young people with epilepsy to have to battle their way to the answers of the questions they might have about the condition – I was confused and isolated.”

Sarah took her idea to ITV Fixers with vinspired.com, a media campaign which gives a voice to 16-25 year olds who want to make a difference. Sarah, working with three other Fixers from Devon, who also have varying degrees of epilepsy, created the website with expert advice from Epilepsy Action.

This website carries information for young people to understand and come to terms with what Sarah calls ‘the big E’. From the different types of epilepsy out there, to possible triggers, useful contacts, personal stories and a quiz. The personal stories include Steve, from Exeter, whose first epileptic fits were mistaken by first aiders as alcohol-induced; and Paul, also from Exeter, who writes about how he finds it hard not to be able to go clubbing with this friends due to his condition.

The website is just the first step for Fixer Sarah. She says: “I plan to take my Youth Epilepsy support campaign as far as I possibly can. My ultimate goal is to run a charity based organisation for young people with epilepsy.”

The other young Fixers involved with the project are Laura Daniel, 23, from Plymouth, and Steve Lovell, 22, and Paul Gregory, 20, both from Exeter.

ITV Fixers with vinspired.com is a major campaign giving young people between the ages of 16-25 the opportunity to tackle any issue that they feel strongly about. What they choose to do is up to them as long as it benefits at least one other person.

Margo Horsley, executive producer for ITV Fixers, says: “Fixers are young people setting the agenda and changing stereotypes. We want to give young people the chance to decide what they want to do, develop their own projects, and give them a little bit of help if needed. I’ve seen how energetic and committed they are when what they’re doing means something to them. What we’re seeing has really made me question whether young people deserve such a bad press.”

Terry Ryall, chief executive officer of v, the National Young Volunteers Service, says: “We are delighted to be supporting ITV Fixers which gives a high media profile platform to young people’s views, ideas and projects. The campaign is innovative in the way it taps into the things young people care about and the media they feel confident using. ITV Fixers is helping them develop valuable skills, whilst transforming their communities and improving understanding between older and younger generations.”