Epilepsy Action is excited to launch epilepsycast – a brand new podcast about all things epilepsy.
The podcast will feature real-life conversations with a range of people living with epilepsy. It will capture a little bit of what it is like to live with epilepsy in the UK today.
Footballer Leon Legge spoke to us for the first episode, released on Monday 18 May to mark the start of National Epilepsy Week. Leon, aged 34, is the captain of Port Vale football club, and previously played for Cambridge United. He has had epilepsy since he was 16. He’s on a mission to tell as many people about the condition as possible.
Speaking to epilepsycast, Leon chatted about how he’s been keeping fit in the coronavirus lockdown, his thoughts on the TikTok #seizurechallenge and how his football clubs have reacted to his epilepsy. He said that his epilepsy has not been a problem for any of the clubs he has played for: “When I arrive at a new club, they take my medical history. We chat about what triggers my seizures and what they need to do if I have a seizure and that’s that. It shouldn’t be a stigmatised condition, but I know it often is.”
“Whenever I’ve spoken about it [epilepsy] with teammates, or when my mates have asked questions, I see that it reassures people. More people need to know about epilepsy so it isn’t this big scary thing. Every case is different, but there is stuff that we can all relate to.”
The podcast is presented by Hattie Hodgson-Crome and Rich McMaster, both members of Epilepsy Action’s press and media team. Hattie said: “We’re so excited to be able to bring this podcast to people with epilepsy in the UK. There is something so powerful about listening to someone talking about their honest and personal experiences, especially when you have something in common. With epilepsycast, we’re going to bring these conversations straight to listeners. And we’re also going to be sharing the latest epilepsy news and updates too.”
New episodes of epilepsycast will be released every other Monday.
If you have an idea of someone you would like to hear on the podcast, or if you would like to share your story, the team would love to hear from you! Email podcast@epilepsy.org.uk.