I spoke at the Epilepsy Action Diamond Jubilee Conference on 11 Sept 2010. The organisation is celebrating its 60th year. The story of Clara, now aged 99, a remarkable woman who was very active in the organisation until relatively recently, illustrates what life was like for people with epilepsy in the 20th Century.
Clara was sent to an "epileptic colony" as it was considered better all round if "epileptics" (even classed amongst the "lunatics" in some institutions) were kept separate from the rest of society.
In the 21st Century the "lunatics are taking over the asylum" (I am talking about myself - no insult intended to anyone who has epilepsy, or any other neurological condition) - and we will be running Deep Green - and we will be working towards getting everyone who lives there out and about in whatever way they want - outdoors to gardens/ watching football games/ visiting friends/shopping, etc as well as getting other people in. Not just "visitors" in the conventional sense, but people coming in to give or take classes (relaxation, card games, cookery?), local people bringing their dogs in for those residents who wish to stroke or walk as able, or just sit and have a cup of tea in the dining room/cafeteria.
If you want to know more about epilepsy or the work of Epilepsy Action, see www.epilepsy.org.uk
