You are not aloneJasmine
For Purple Day I am going to be talking about my role as a Young Rep for Young Epilepsy. I have been a Young Rep for the charity for the past couple of years. In this time I have met so many incredible people that have helped me with my epilepsy journey.
I got diagnosed with absence epilepsy when I was eleven years old. It was a very daunting time and I didn’t know much about the condition. Also, I didn’t know anyone else with epilepsy which felt very isolating for me. As I grew older and started to understand my epilepsy better, my confidence grew. This led me to want to talk about epilepsy more and raise awareness about the condition.
Being part of Young Epilepsy
Young Epilepsy has helped me to not feel isolated through being a Young Rep and meeting other young people living with epilepsy. It enabled me to be part of a community that could understand or relate to my journey with epilepsy. Even though everyone’s epilepsy journey is unique and different, we will always have things in common and be able to relate to current or past experiences of living with the condition. Being a Young Rep means we can support one another and guide the charity to help meet the needs of children and young people with epilepsy.
Through being a Young Rep it enables us to use our voices, help others through what we have learnt and have an impact on the future of young people living with epilepsy. We come together to help fight the stigmas around epilepsy and make a difference in society.
Being a Young Rep has enabled me to be part of an amazing community and also provided me with many new experiences and opportunities. For example, interviews, workshops or being part of the Digital Programme Board. All these experiences have helped me to learn and develop my skills. My communication skills and confidence has grown hugely through being a Young Rep.
A supportive and active community
If I could tell eleven year old me anything, it would be that you are not alone and it will be okay. Young Epilepsy have a supportive and active community to help young people living with epilepsy. This includes information, support and advice which can be found through The Channel.
I will be forever grateful for being part of this community
