John Bostock

After leaving school and college in 1964 I followed my boyhood dream and joined the army, the Grenadier Guards. This did not disappoint me although times could be hard. Working together in difficult situations and the comradeship we shared helped me to plan my future.

After twelve years in the army I got married. We had one son but fostered many children over a number of years. I went into the construction industry before starting my own scaffolding company in 1978.

In 1990 I went into management at a foundry until my epilepsy started in 1993. At that time there was nothing in the Stoke area for people with epilepsy. No branch, no one to contact, not even an epilepsy nurse to talk too. Something was needed, so with the help and support of a few others, the Stoke-on-Trent branch of Epilepsy Action was started in 1995. I was the branch Treasurer for six years and have been Chairman for the last eight years. I am an accredited volunteer for Epilepsy Action and this work has given me a great opportunity to reach out to others. I am also a member of the Epilepsy Action West Midlands forum.

The reason for my work and involvement in epilepsy is to ensure that people have somewhere to turn to when they face the same problems I did when I was first diagnosed. I had no where to go so my aim is just the same as the founders of the British Epilepsy Association - that help should be there for people who need it.

I am Vice Chair of the Mid Cheshire Hospitals NSF Long term (Neurological) conditions. I am also Chair of the Stoke-on-Trent Parent Partnership advisory services.