At fifteen years old, mum was evacuated from the London during the Blitz of WWII, 73 years ago, to a small village called Dormans Land. Her two brothers were fighting overseas and her sister was married, so Mum often went to the local surrounding villages to do shopping, with her mother.
Nearby, in Lingfield, there was an epileptic colony. Treatment was very basic and Mum often witnessed seizures of all different types and it was during these two years that she developed a heart for these patients.
“treatment was very basic”
Throughout her life, Mum always remembered her time in Dormans Land and handed over some small amount in answer to any fundraising call. She always wanted better for the patients and doctors who were trying so hard to gain recognition and funding to fight the illness.
Mum was widowed in 1974, and in 1986 her second grandchild, our son, was diagnosed with epilepsy, aged eight. She was so strong and helped as much as she could. She saw so much change in the acceptance and treatment of epilepsy. She saw him go on to college with the help of modern drugs and then eventually to university.
“so much change in acceptance”
Mum was so excited at the development of the Vagal Nerve Stimulator and was delighted when her grandson received one in 2006. She had so much to be thankful for.
“It was just her way of saying ‘thank you’”
When Mum died in 2010, she left a letter which asked us to give once more to Epilepsy Action. It wasn’t a huge amount, but really just her way of saying ‘thank you’ and to encourage all those working towards the betterment of patients and families.
- Sandra Hough, daughter of Joan Evans
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