I was exposed to a drug causing lifelong disability

Jo Cozens, 50, lives in Caerphilly, Wales, with husband David and son Tomas, 21 I developed epilepsy at 17. When we started thinking about conceiving, I asked to see a consultant, who prescribed sodium valproate. I hadn’t taken it before. Tom has hearing problems, and was diagnosed with Asperger’s aged eight.

Five years later, my dad told me: ‘It’s in the papers. Tom’s problems come from your medication.’ I was furious that the doctor exposed me to a drug causing lifelong disability for my son.

I’m chair of a parents’ support group. We get daily calls from families in financial straits due to the whims of the benefit system. It’s sickening the Government is blocking an independent redress agency to save money at the expense of our kids.