Six-year-old’s uni talk about epilepsy
A SIX-YEAR-OLD’S account of how epilepsy affects her is to feature in a lecture at Oxford University.
Top professors, health professionals and members of the public will hear Ellie Bruce spell out what happens when she has a seizure and how the condition disrupts her life.
In a Facebook video, Ellie also explains how she can be the subject of cruel taunts in the playground because of epilepsy.
The film, which was uploaded on February 12, has already been viewed more than 2600 times.
Ellie’s student mum Katie McGowan 27, of Montrose, said: “Ellie is so brave – braver than most adults who have the condition.
“The idea for the video came when Ellie wanted to tell everyone at her school – Borrowfield Primary – about the condition. I put the video on my Facebook page and it’s been crazy ever since. I’m so proud of her.”
Ellie was finally diagnosed with BY KAHTLEEN SPEIRS reporters@dailyrecord.co.uk epilepsy in January after four years of medical appointments and tests.
In the video, the schoolgirl says: “Before I take a seizure, I take migraines, pee myself, get a sore head and a sore belly. It makes me feel sad. When I wet myself, sometimes people laugh and sometimes they don’t.
“Nothing makes me feel better, well, my Mummy does.
“I’m sad that I’m missing lots of school just now and I don’t remember things.
“If people have just found out they’ve got epilepsy, don’t worry – I’ve got epilepsy too.”
Ellie’s video will feature in a talk being given at the university next month by epilepsy sufferer Abigail Pine.
Abigail, 37, said: “I think Ellie is amazing. To be so self-aware at that age and brave enough to open up like that is great.”
ELLIE BRUCE ON HAVING EPILEPSY