Heather’s story is part of a special series of manifesto stories. These are part of our work to influence the next government. You can find out more here.
“I think what unifies a lot of people with epilepsy in the workplace is the employer’s fear around the condition. I have been told after a period of sick leave that they “didn’t think this was the career for me”. I have had performance reviews that highlight issues to do with my reliability, and specifically say my “reliability improves when health improves”.
“At the stage I had my first convulsive seizure in the office, I had been with the business for 18 months, and the first aiders had not been told that I had epilepsy and had not been trained on what to do.
“I want the new government to focus on training. Epilepsy has one of the highest unemployment rates of any disability. The idea that we cannot work or cannot be kept safe while we work is ludicrous.”
