that it’s a curse handed down from
previous generations, and sufferers
should be locked up at home and not
spoken about. Even though there are
70,000 people in Hong Kong living
with this condition, it remains hidden
and something to be ashamed of.”
Many parents have a hard time
accepting the diagnosis, making it
almost impossible for the child to
accept it, and creating problems
with confidence and self-image. The
charity says it’s common for parents to
forbid their children from informing
others about their epilepsy, including
friends, teachers and even relatives.
“This sends the worst message to
the child that this is something they
should be embarrassed about,” says
Claudia. “It’s also very dangerous, as
the child could have a seizure at school
or with other family members who
won’t know how to handle it.”
But this kind of reaction is
understandable when you consider
the lack of awareness within
the community. Onlookers feel
uncomfortable watching a child
having a seizure, especially if it
involves jerking limbs, rolling eyes and
saliva coming from the child’s mouth.
Parents report the most common
reaction from others is to get as far
away as possible.
Because of this, many kids with
epilepsy are forced to attend special
schools for children with disabilities
and some have been banned from
joining sporting teams, or dumped
from the team when their condition is
revealed.
“Kids with epilepsy are just
like any other kids, with the same
intellectual and sporting abilities,”
says Claudia. “They should be allowed
to attend normal school and as long
as their seizures are controlled with
medication, they should be allowed to
play whatever sport they want to.”
The charity points to several high-
profile athletes with the condition,
including Olympic cyclist Marion
Clignet and Enlighten Hong Kong’s
founder-patron, international rugby
player Tom Smith.
“Playing sport will actually benefit
kids with epilepsy because it’s a
great way to keep the body healthy
and reduce stress, which is one of
the major triggers for seizures,” says
Claudia. “As long as the child’s coach
is aware of what could occur and
how to respond, there should not be a
problem.”
Free to live
With support from charities like
Enlighten and by educating herself
with the facts, Noddy’s mother
realized a diagnosis of epilepsy didn’t
have to change her son’s life.
While the first medication they
tried caused weight gain and failed
April 2015
49
THE FACTS ABOUT EPILEPSY
• Epilepsy is a brain disorder not a mental disease, and is not
contagious.
• One in 100 people have epilepsy, 50 million people worldwide.
• Epilepsy can start at any age and equally affects people of all
races and gender.
• Exact causes are unknown, but some cases have been initiated by
birth trauma, a head injury, serious illness with very high fever, or
drug and alcohol abuse.
• There are 40 different types of epileptic seizures, ranging from
mild episodes like blinking or staring for several seconds, to major
seizures where the person will lose consciousness, collapse and
rapidly jerk the arms and legs.
• A seizure is the result of abnormal and excessive discharges of
nerve cells in the brain, likened to an internal electrical storm.
• Seizure triggers include stress, lack of sleep, hunger, over-
excitement, video games and flashing lights.
• With appropriate treatment, 70 per cent of people with epilepsy
will be seizure-free.
