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Gareth

Gareth came to Young Epilepsy from a special needs school. Although he enjoyed it there, he was interested in motor mechanics, which wasn’t available at his school – and he also wanted to become more independent. So he decided to make the move.

Three years into life at Young Epilepsy, Gareth has a great group of friends, he’s studying subjects he enjoys, and he’s becoming increasingly independent.

Gareth contracted meningitis when he was a baby and, as a result, developed epilepsy. He experiences types of seizures known as absences, sometimes prolonged ones. The medical term is non-convulsive status epilepticus, which means that over a long period he becomes confused and vague. Since joining Young Epilepsy, when he was 17, Gareth has progressed well. He has attended sessions in motor vehicle maintenance at a local mainstream college and has gained self-confidence and self-esteem.

At the moment, I am doing Skills For Working Life units in business administration and IT and life skills subjects; self sufficiency and personal social health education, explains Gareth. I enjoy my lessons in art and drama and my option classes are drumming and film-making.

Gareth now lives in St Piers Place, a house he shares with six other adult students. Here, he has learnt some important life skills, such as how to keep his room tidy, make his bed and cook his own evening meals. Gareth particularly enjoys cooking curry. Socially, he enjoys going to the cinema and shopping, and two of his main interests are film-making and sport, with hockey being a particular favourite.

As for gaining in independence, he has been making impressive strides. Gareth and another student Paul have now started travelling by train to two local towns. They take mobile phones and emergency phone numbers, one of which is our medical centre. So far there have been no problems at all. When they reach their destination, they go shopping and have lunch at the shopping complex.

When I leave Young Epilepsy I would like to work with animals or work in a hairdressers. I would also like to live independently or with friends from the college, says Gareth.