I was first diagnosed with epilepsy in about 1983 following a visit to the dentist, when I experienced a tonic clonic seizure during some dental work. Admittedly, I had been experiencing dizzy spells which I had called ‘‘funny turns’’ but it was not until I was referred to a neurologist that I became aware I had epilepsy. I went through school with the support of a close friend. Every time I felt an aura for my seizures, I would ask my friend to watch me. I would introduce myself to new people by saying ‘‘Hi, I’m Jayne, I have epilepsy.’’ I would then explain to the person what would happen if I had a complex partial seizure. I owe a lot to my friend and family for not making me feel ‘‘unusual’’, but I still wish I had the support of someonewho understood exactly how Iwas feeling – someone who shared the experience of disappearing to another world and was frequently told that they could not do what others were doing. While studying for my A-level exams, I was experiencing bad side effects from the medication I was on. I found myself tired, confused and unable to concentrate. I was told I would never get a job and that applying for university was pointless. However, I passedmy A-levels andwent on to get a place at Trent Polytechnic. After a year into my degree, I had an MRI scan that revealed an abnormal mass and I was given the opportunity to have neurosurgery to control my seizures. Considering the risks, I accepted the chance of being seizure free and by Christmas of 1990, I was lying in the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery following a right temporal lebectomy to remove a dysembryonic neuro-epithelial tumour. Having been discharged in the New Year, I found myself readmitted following weakness in my left side. I felt awful, lost, lonely and useless – feelings I had frequently felt previously, as a result of frequent seizures and high levels of medication. I could not help asking myself ‘‘What has changed?’’ Upon my recovery, however, I found out about Epilepsy Action (then known as the British Epilepsy Association). Although I had not had a seizure since the surgery, I still wanted to join and support others. I answered an advert asking for people to act as contacts for people thinking about surgery for their epilepsy. I felt something positive was happening at last. I felt useful, rather than an embarrassment and a failure. I spoke to two people, one whom I am still in contact with.