Hope springs from illness

By Melissa Meehan
CATHERINE Madden had a sick feeling in her stomach before her world came crashing down.
It was the first time the Endeavour Hills mother of four had experienced an epileptic seizure.
She was at home with the kids, and remembers “feeling funny” before crashing to the floor. But it was not until four days later that Catherine saw her local doctor.
“The kids were pretty scared so when it was all over we had a cuddle and I focused on making sure they were relaxed,” she said. “It wasn’t until four days later I went and saw my GP – I think I was in a bit of denial too.”
From that moment, Catherine’s life changed.
She couldn’t drive or work for three months.
“It has changed my life quite a bit,” she said. “I couldn’t drive for a little while and couldn’t work because I work at the swimming pool, which was really hard because I love my job.”
Despite finding it hard not being able to get in the pool, Catherine said her work colleagues made the changes in her life easier to deal with.
She said they had been a great support and provided alternative work for her during her time out of the pool.
“They have been fantastic,” she said.
And the kids, aged between three and nine, have not seen Catherine suffer another seizure – but have been taught who to call if it ever happens again.
“They know what to do,” she said.
Epilepsy Awareness Week was held last week.
Catherine hopes to raise awareness of epilepsy and reduce the stigma in the community surrounding the little understood condition.