GEORGE NEWS - "Living with epilepsy is the worst curse that a human can ever have as you live in isolation with the fear of having a seizure anytime." These were the words of Rebecca Notshokovu (50), an epilepsy sufferer.
Notshokovu is one of 500 000 South Africans who lives with epilepsy, a condition that affects the brain and nervous system.
According to a statement released by the
Government Employees Medical Scheme (GEMS), approximately one in 100 South Africans will suffer from epilepsy at some point in their lifetime.
Notshokovu says she was diagnosed with epilepsy in 1995 after she was beaten on the head by her then boyfriend.
"After this, I noticed funny things happening to my body such as constant dizziness and vomiting. I then went to the doctor who told me I have epilepsy. I have been on treatment since 2008," said Notshokovu.
She says it has been a struggle battling with this disorder for 20 years and no treatment has been successful. "This disorder has taken away my womanhood and left me struggling to get employment," said Notshokovu.
"I have worked before, but I never know when I will get a seizure. I would sometimes fall very hard on the floor in front of customers and employees, so I decided to stop working," she said.
Notshokovu has no children living with her. The only person who used to help her is her late husband who passed away earlier this year and she now fears for her life as she has seizures about four times a month.
Notshokovu's neighbour, Zinakile France (61), was also diagnosed with epilepsy in 2003 after he was assaulted by a jealous man.
He says one of his main difficulties is treatment as he has to travel on foot from Lawaaikamp to Conville Clinic for his medication.
"At my age you would understand that my knees are no longer what they were and I sometimes experience seizures halfway to the clinic and fall very hard on the road with no assistance and have no choice but to turn back," said France.
From 15 to 21 June South Africa celebrated National Epilepsy Week to raise awareness about this condition and to remove the stigma that is associated with it.
Dr Stan Moloabi, executive healthcare mana-ger at the GEMS, urges everyone to learn about this medical condition so that they know what to do when someone has a seizure.
"Many of us are likely to come across someone who has epilepsy. Seizures may have many different causes and anyone could suffer one at some point in their lives. South Africans should keep this in mind before judging those who suffer from epilepsy," said Dr Moloabi.
The following should be done when attending to a person having a seizure:
- Do your best to stay calm. Understanding what is taking place should help you to do this.
- Try to prevent injury by ensuring that there is nothing nearby or within reach that could harm the person.
- Be sure to keep yourself out of harm's way if the individual is thrashing and writhing around vigorously. There is no need to try and restrain anyone who is having a seizure.
- Call emergency services.
- Do not put anything in the person's mouth.
- Once the individual's seizure has stopped, place them in the recovery position. Turn the person's head so any vomit can easily drain from their mouth and make sure they are breathing normally.
- Do not give the person liquids, medication or food until they are fully alert.
- Stay with the person until he or she recovers, which should be within five to 20min.
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