Epilepsy Action, the UK’s largest member-led epilepsy organisation, is hosting a seminar to provide family support for childhood epilepsy. The seminar is running thanks to a generous donation from local mum, Ruth Jenkins-Hughes, following the sale of her ewe.
The seminar will take place on Saturday 25 June at St Anne’s Church Hall, Penparcau, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion from 10.00am to 3.00pm.
Speakers include Dr Richard Appleton, Paediatric Neurologist from Alder Hay Children’s Hospital, Liverpool. He will be talking about the diagnosis and treatment of childhood epilepsy and the impact this has on the rest of the family. Sue Wood, Dietician from Matthews Friends, will be talking about the Ketogenic diet, and Brian Evans, Headmaster and Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator (SENCO) at Llwyn Yr Eos School will be talking about working with additional needs in a primary school setting.
Ann Sivapatham, Wales manager for Epilepsy Action Cymru, said: “We are very lucky to have Dr Appleton speak at our seminar. He is one of the leading epilepsy specialist paediatricians in the UK. Brian Evans will be talking about managing epilepsy in a primary school setting so there will be some really useful information for parents.”
Tickets cost £6.00 for delegates (£4.00 concessions), £10 for a couple (£6.00 concessions). Seats are limited so to book a place, or for further information, please contact Jackie Kemp on 0113 210 8787, or email jkemp@epilepsy.org.uk
Mum Ruth, from Cwmystwyth, wanted to help other families who have children with epilepsy. Ruth’s daughter was diagnosed with epilepsy at ten days old. Happily, Seren is now on medication and doing well. However, it has been very difficult for them.
Ruth said: “My husband, Hefin, and I decided that we wanted to raise some money for epilepsy. We want to help other children and parents in Wales who are going through similar experiences to what we went through. We auctioned our ewe but were delighted that the farmers who bought it to re-auctioned it so we raised even more money.”
Epilepsy Action has an extensive network of branches throughout the UK. Branches hold regular meetings and offer a variety of social events and informative talks and discussions
relating to epilepsy. Epilepsy Action’s Aberystwyth Branch meets on the third Wednesday of the month at St Anne’s Church, Penparcau, Aberystwyth from 7.00pm till 9.00pm.
For further information about the work of Epilepsy Action, please visit www.epilepsy.org.uk or call the Epilepsy Helpline freephone 0808 800 5050