Take chance to learn more about seizure first aid

If you saw someone having a seizure, would you be able to help?

This is a question Bunbury resident Lozz Williams wants more people to answer yes to ahead of epilepsy awareness day, March 26.

Purple Day aims to encourage discussion about the condition that affects about 250,000 Australians, yet is widely misunderstood, Ms Williams said.

“There is a lack of awareness in the community about epilepsy, even among some healthcare professionals,” she said.

It’s more than having seizures, it’s such a complex illness.

Living with epilepsy is different for everyone, but Ms Williams wishes the wider community would learn more about the condition.

“People think that you have a seizure and that’s it, but it carries into the rest of your life.

“It involves taking daily medication, you can’t swim or take a bath alone and you can’t drive.

“It impacts getting jobs, family, friends — every part of life.”

Ms Williams said most people were in a mindset of not researching more about epilepsy because it did not directly impact their lives.

“I think if people were more understanding of life with epilepsy, it would help with a lot of the struggles we face,” she said.

Bunbury’s Koombana Bay Bridge will light up the night purple on March 26 to raise awareness of the condition that affects 1 in 25 West Australians.

Ahead of Epilepsy Awareness Day, Ms Williams challenged everyone to learn the basics of seizure first aid, which can be found at www.epilepsywa.asn.au.