FREMANTLE local Hayley is one of the people benefiting from a new Epilepsy Support Group at Dôme Café on Riverside Road.
Up until this year, there were five Epilepsy WA support groups across the state, but none in the Freo area.
Hayley experienced her first seizure aged 35, although doctors believe she may have had subtle seizures since childhood.
Her diagnosis came at a significant stage of her life—she was the mother of a young child.
“It was so reassuring to meet others who understand what I’m going through,” says Hayley.
“The group made me feel supported and informed.”
• Fremantle local Hayley volunteers with Epilepsy WA and supports others living with the condition.
The launch of the Fremantle Epilepsy Support Group was spearheaded by community member Jen, who wanted a local, welcoming space for people living with the condition to connect and share experiences.
They held their first meeting in February this year.
At the informal, nurse-facilitated sessions, attendees talk about issues like seizure management, medication side effects, mental health and coping strategies.
“Epilepsy affects each person differently,” says Epilepsy WA project coordinator Imogen Reading.
“Even when seizures are well controlled, many people continue to experience significant impacts from medication side effects, fatigue, mental health challenges, and the ongoing stigma associated with the condition.
“As a result, the severity and lived experience of epilepsy can vary widely among attendees.”
Epilepsy is more common than many people realise, with 1 in 25 diagnosed in their lifetime and more than 30,000 people in WA living with the condition.
Attending the sessions can lead to valuable friendships and inspire folk to help others.
Since her diagnosis, Hayley has become actively involved with Epilepsy WA, volunteering through the Compassionate Ear Program, which offers peer support to others living with the condition.
She also regularly participates in public awareness activities, helping to raise understanding of epilepsy in the wider community.
The Epilepsy WA Fremantle Support Group is currently attracting about 10 people to the monthly sessions, with numbers steadily growing.
“Our support groups are open to people of all ages and backgrounds, including people living with epilepsy, as well as their family members and carers,” Reading says.
Epilepsy WA also has support groups in Bunbury, Armadale, Nedlands, Midland and Joondalup.
The Freo group meets every second Wednesday of the month, with the next meeting on April 8, noon-1:30 pm at Dôme Café, 26 Riverside Road, East Fremantle. For more info see epilepsywa.asn.au or give them a call on 1300 660 880.