School Student Stories
Student Stories
The children and young people who attend The National Centre for Young People with Epilepsy (NCYPE) come from a variety of different backgrounds but have one thing in common – their complex neurological conditions.
St Piers School and the NCYPE’s Further Education College give these children and young people the opportunity to enjoy an education, life and social experiences they may not otherwise be able to experience.
Don’t just take the NCYPE’s word for it, read these student stories and let their parents tell you how important the Centre has been for them...
Amy
Amy was diagnosed with epilepsy shortly after her first birthday. When she was about six months old things started to happen,
her Mum remembers. She started twitching her eyes but everyone thought she was ok. When she wouldn’t feed or drink Amy saw a doctor who thought she had an infection.
Grace
Around three of the first five years of Grace’s life involved her being in hospital. She was diagnosed with alternating hemiplegia at 22 months old, a condition caused by damage to part of the brain which makes the affected side of the body weak and lack control, rather like a stroke. From three months old Grace started having
explains her Mum Tamasine.attacks
, twitching in and out of consciousness,
Greg
Greg is an energetic and bright 11 year-old with a wonderful sense of humour. To see him now you wouldn’t think that there was a time when his epilepsy led him to behave like a Tasmanian devil, as his parents recall, and his seizure activity meant that he had to miss much of his education in a mainstream school.
Click here to read moreLucy
Thirteen year old Lucy has an enigmatic smile that can light up a room and a family that dote on her completely.
But life has not always been as rosy for Lucy, her Mum, Dad and brother. As well as having epilepsy, Lucy is also on the autistic spectrum and is pre-verbal. Without the support of The National Centre for Young People with Epilepsy (NCYPE) and a place in one of its 52-week residential children’s homes, Lucy’s parents fear they would have had no other option than to contemplate long term fostering for her.
Click here to read moreSebastian
The National Centre for Young People with Epilepsy is a light in Sebastian’s life, honestly, it fulfils his life in a way I thought he couldn’t because of his epilepsy and severe disabilities.
Anna talks fondly of the organisation that has played such an important part in her 15 year old son’s development and a place that has become a second home for herself and her family.