Hattie’s Story

Hi all my name is hattie, my journey with epilepsy has been a rocky one, it started when I was 14, I had had one seizure before when I was little however the doctors just put that to a high temperature. I got diagnosed with generalised epilepsy when I was 16 and was having weekly tonic clonics. 

I struggled massively through high school as my whole world had got turned upside down. I started to struggle with my processing and memory skills and that developed into a borderline learning disability diagnos. I failed all my GCSES and was determined to pursue a career in dance. I got a VNS implant when I was 17 and that drastically helped my seizures however affected my physical ability quickly. I soon dropped out of dance college due to poor mental and physical health. I got put on a new anti seizure medication at 19 called keppra and it went further down hill from there. I tried to end my life 4 times, after quickly coming off this medication and getting professional help things turned around.

During lockdown I posted a video on tiktok about my epilepsy and a lot of people wanted to know more. I noticed from the age of 16/17 that there was not a lot of information about epilepsy and there was a lot of stigma and discrimination behind this disability, I didn’t know anyone who had it and I didn’t know how I should be supported at work or school. After posting more frequently about my epilepsy I found more people that were like me. I enjoyed finding out more and helping others feel less invisible. I wondered if maybe I could do more around supporting the epilepsy community and that’s were purpledayss came from. I wanted to create fashionable epilepsy merchandise that everyone could wear to help support epilepsy and mental health all together by spreading awareness and raising money for epilepsy charities.

Kind words you would like to share with a parent or someone newly diagnosed:
If I could share some kinds words with you it would be to not let epilepsy ruin your life, you should always live it to the fullest just remember to always be safe, and don’t forget to always keep pursuing things and pushing for your dreams. 

Connect with Hattie B.:
Instagram: @purpledayss_
Facebook: Purpledayss
My website: https://www.purpledayss.com/
TikTok:   https://www.tiktok.com/@purpledayss?_t=ZG-8sykExJ7fcn&_r=1