A father from Harrogate is hoping this will be a Christmas to remember after previous festive seasons were wiped from his memory by epilepsy.
Andy Deighton, aged 55, was diagnosed with epilepsy at 16 and says it has shaped every part of his life.
He mainly experiences tonic-clonic seizures, which can be unpredictable and sometimes leave long gaps in his memory.
As Christmas approaches, he says the impact of those lost moments feel particularly significant.
He said:
“Christmas carries a lot of expectation – from family gatherings to late nights and the pressure to keep up with everyone.
“Epilepsy can cut through all that in an instant. I’ve had seizures near Christmas that have wiped out whole parts of the festive period leaving gaps in my memories and a real emotional toll.”
Andy describes epilepsy as something “constantly in the background”, influencing everything from family life to wellbeing.
Even activities that support his mental health, like running, can sometimes bring unexpected challenges.
He said:
“One year I had a seizure on a training run and woke up in hospital with no memory of what happened.
“Someone put their coat under my head to protect me. I don’t know who they were, but that simple act meant so much.”
Despite the challenges epilepsy brings, Andy focuses on staying positive and doing what helps him feel well.
He added:
“It’s meant learning to be gentler with myself and planning a calmer Christmas so I can stay well and enjoy it with the people I love.
“More than anything I rely on those around me to understand and support me through it.”
Epilepsy Action says Andy’s experience mirrors what many of the 630,000 people living with the condition in the UK face at this time of year.
Latest figures from the Neurological Alliance show that 84% of people with epilepsy experience challenges with their mental health, with many reporting that these difficulties intensify during December when routines are disrupted and pressure rise.
Philippa Cartwright, fundraising director for Epilepsy Action, said:
“We hear these stories from people with epilepsy every year.
"The festive season can be joyful but it can also place huge demands on families who are managing the condition every single day.
“We would ask people to be mindful of the pressures others may be under – a little understanding and kindness can go a long way.”
Murray Goulder from Crawley is also preparing for a more mindful festive season.
The 45-year-old lives with absence seizures that strike without warning and experiences around five or six episodes a month.
He said:
“I don’t usually worry about how a seizure affects me, but I do think about how it might affect the people I care about.
“You never want to be the thing everyone remembers about Christmas.
“What I really want is to feel reassured to know the people around me understand that I can count on them.”
Epilepsy Action is encouraging anyone with worries about managing epilepsy over the festive period to reach out early.
The helpline team are kept incredibly busy in January with over 1,000 enquiries double the number they get in December.
Kathryn Hughes, services manager at Epilepsy Action, said:
“December is an incredibly challenging month for people with epilepsy and many people tell us they struggle to cope when everyone else is focussed on Christmas plans and festivities.
“By the time New Year arrives, worries that have been building up for weeks can feel more intense – and that’s when we see a real surge in enquiries.
“Our message is simple – you don’t have to wait. A quick check-in now can make a big difference later and our team is ready to support anyone who needs us.
“There are also lots of resources available online so people can look things up in their own time.”
As part of our continued efforts to provide support online and help people feel more prepared the charity has created a Christmas wellbeing pack filled with trusted guidance, coping tools and reassuring activities to support anyone who needs them. A gift of £35 can fund one pack.
Philippa added:
“At this time of year, the glitz, glam and cheer can hide the fact that people living with epilepsy are working twice as hard just to keep things normal.
“Your donation will help ensure people like Andy and Murray get the understanding and reassurance they deserve because no one should feel invisible at Christmas.”
For more information about how you can support people living with epilepsy over the festive period visit: Christmas appeal – Epilepsy Action.
People struggling with diagnosis, or any aspect of epilepsy, can find support at epilepsy.org.uk or by calling the Epilepsy Action helpline on 0808 800 5050.
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