Epilepsy Ireland honours Tipperary woman with volunteer award

At their recent national conference, Epilepsy Ireland named Tipperary woman, Melissa Ryan as the recipient of their annual volunteer of the year awards.

Epilepsy Ireland is the national patient organisation representing people with epilepsy and their families and their vision is to achieve a society where no person’s life is limited by epilepsy.

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21-year-old Melissa, from Borrisleigh, lives with epilepsy and was first diagnosed with the condition at the age of 10.

From the time of her diagnosis, Melissa and her family leaned on the support and information services offered by Epilepsy Ireland.

As Melissa’s journey with the condition continued, they became increasingly involved in supporting the work of the organisation – taking part in local fundraisers and helping to educate the wider community about epilepsy by sharing their experiences of life with the condition.

Speaking about Melissa’s contribution to the work of Epilepsy Ireland, Advocacy & Communications Manager Paddy McGeoghegan said: “Melissa is the definition of a tireless advocate. Both Melissa and her family have been so supportive of our work over the years. They have taken part in countless fundraisers, helping raise the vital funds required to continue our work across Ireland – while they have also been willing to share their experiences of life with epilepsy to help educate the wider community, and support others living with the condition.

“It is our privilege to name Melissa and her family as the recipients of our volunteer of the year award as a small token of our appreciation for their support over many years.”

Speaking about her new accolade, Melissa said: “Epilepsy Ireland have been great for me and my family for support, information, and raising awareness of this condition. My Mam has learned so much about epilepsy from our various interactions with Epilepsy Ireland and as I have gotten older and with Epilepsy Ireland’s help and support, I have got more involved in helping raise awareness of epilepsy by sharing my lived experience of epilepsy. People who know me are probably sick of hearing me promote Epilepsy Ireland’s key words of ‘Time, Safe, Stay’ when it comes to responding to a seizure!

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“This award though, is something I never expected but it is something I am so proud of. Epilepsy is part of my life and if sharing my experience can help others learn, it’s something I have no intention of stopping!”

To learn more about epilepsy and the activities of Epilepsy Ireland, visit www.epilepsy.ie.

Epilepsy is a neurological disorder characterised by a tendency to have recurring seizures.

Over 45,000 in Ireland have epilepsy including 10,000–15,000 people who are living with uncontrolled seizures.

For this group in particular, the consequences of epilepsy can be long-lasting and significant.

It can affect the person’s education, employment, social functioning, self-esteem and independent living.

People with epilepsy must also cope with the physical impact of seizures, the side-effects of medications and for many, the social stigma and economic impact that can be associated with it.

Its individualised impact on those who live with it means that it is often considered as a hidden disability.

There is also an increased risk of mortality associated with epilepsy with an estimated 130 epilepsy-related deaths in Ireland each year.

Epilepsy Ireland’s vision is to achieve a society where no person’s life is limited by epilepsy.

Since 1966, they have remained committed to working for, and meeting the needs of everyone with epilepsy in Ireland, their families, and carers.