When people think of Epilepsy, they may think that it would be obvious to others around them. But one woman from Bridgend knows first hand that this is not always the case, and wants people to know the condition can be much more subtle and is more complicated than just having seizures which make her unconscious.
Becci Smart, 35, is an advocate for epilepsy awareness and was diagnosed with Juvenile Myoclonic Epilepsy with photosensitivity at 18, after a tonic-clonic seizure at work. A tonic-clonic seizure, according to the NHS is what most people think of as a typical epileptic fit.
These can happen in 2 stages – an initial "tonic" stage, where you lose consciousness, your body goes stiff, and you may fall to the floor shortly followed by a second "clonic" stage where people can lose control of their limbs. Her condition means that she is not allowed to drive, had to give up her lifelong love of swimming and has to avoid any areas with flashing lights.
