Laura Mills wants young people with epilepsy to believe in themselves - yet she knows how hard that can be. Diagnosed at just three years old, Laura’s journey has been shaped by fear, isolation and resilience. Now she’s helping others find strength by working with adults with learning disabilities - some of whom have epilepsy.
Early years: a diagnosis that changed everything
Laura Mills says to young people: “Believe in yourself.” But she knows how difficult that can be. Diagnosed with epilepsy at the age of three, following a bout of encephalitis at 18 months, her early years were marked by confusion and fear.
I didn’t really understand it until I was about five or six. I started to feel anxious - scared - and I went to my Mum. That’s when she told me I had epilepsy.
Laura’s seizures were often preceded by auras - unsettling sensations that made her feel panicked.
I think it was the aura that made me feel scared. It was like going into a world of my own.
Living with absences
Laura’s epilepsy was refractory - resistant to medication. Over the years, she tried a long list of drugs.
All my life I've been on Carbamazepine, but they used to add medications into it to see if that would help me. But I was still having seizures.
Her absences - brief episodes where she would lose awareness - were particularly distressing.
I’d talk jibble jabble. Then I’d come back and be really tired.
At school, Laura often felt misunderstood.
I think teachers thought I was daydreaming. But sometimes it was more noticeable - they’d take me out of the room and let me rest.
The impact on her learning was profound.
Epilepsy affected my memory a lot. I’d revise for exams and then just go blank. It made me feel very inadequate.
Isolation and lack of support
Support was scarce - for Laura and her Mum.
There was nothing. My Mum was new to it all. She could have done with someone to talk to.
And Laura’s teenage years were shaped by anxiety and isolation.
I didn’t go out much. I wanted to be like other kids - but I couldn’t be. I didn’t feel safe.
Her grades suffered, and she ended up taking extra English and Maths at college.
Then, I was applying for jobs, but where I needed to put my condition down it was affecting my chances.
A life-changing decision
But eventually, Laura was offered a craniotomy - brain surgery to help control her seizures.
I had to travel to London for tests - telemetry, MRIs, neuropsychological assessments. They gave me a letter listing all the risks - strokes, paralysis. It was scary.
Her epilepsy nurse helped her find the courage to go ahead. “She said
‘No one walks in your shoes every day.’ That stuck with me. I realised I was the only one who could make the decision. It was daunting. But the nurses were lovely.
Two weeks later, she was back in hospital with an infection - but since then, she’s been seizure-free.
Touch wood, I’ve been fine.
A new chapter
Today, Laura works with adults with learning disabilities - some of whom have epilepsy.
It’s scary - their lives are in my hands. I’d 100% put them first.
She’s also riding a motorbike and learning to drive - things she never imagined possible.
I’m doing things independently now. It’s brought me out of my shell.
Laura believes schools need to do more.
There’s not enough spoken about epilepsy. Assemblies, information - kids need to know what to look for.
Her message to young people is clear:
Believe in yourself a little bit more. You don’t know what’s around the corner. You are capable of whatever you want to do.
