When 29-year-old Laura started to experience prolonged, unexplained seizures, she and her family were terrified. Laura has complex health needs: she is on the autistic spectrum, and has cerebral palsy and advanced osteoporosis to her spine and hips. She had been diagnosed with epilepsy aged 11 months but she had experienced only very infrequent seizures.
Diagnosing what was now happening to Laura was extremely difficult. She was rushed to hospital 15 times within the space of 18 months, saw several different consultants, and was given 11 different types of medication during this time. Laura became very frightened and depressed, and her parents feared they were going to lose her.
Life turned around for Laura’s family when a consultant referred her to The William Quarrier Scottish Epilepsy Centre in Glasgow. The centre provides specialist treatment for epilepsy, with world-leading technology which facilitates accurate diagnosis even for patients with complex medical needs. Laura spent four weeks in the centre, and although she was far from her family home in Durham, her mum was able to stay with her in an adjoining carer’s room, meaning that Laura had all the professional and personal support she needed.
“I don’t know where we would be without the expertise of the staff at The William Quarrier Scottish Epilepsy Centre, and we know that we can go back for ongoing support should we need it,” says Laura’s mother Vanessa. “We become extremely overwhelmed and emotional thinking about what they have done for us, and for our beautiful, precious daughter Laura.”