A WOMAN from Lochore who lives with epilepsy is recommending the support she has received from a health and social care charity.

The Quarriers Epilepsy Community Outreach Service has been providing crucial support for those living with epilepsy in Fife.

Margaret Malcolm's first episode almost 30 years ago was while she was on a playgroup day out which left her with a severe headache and a profound sense of panic.

She experienced another seizure a year later.

(Image: Quarriers)

She said: “It was such a shock.

"I was a single mother of two very young children and had to confront the reality that I had to prepare the kids for the possibility of future seizures.

"I taught them that one should stay by my side, while the other went to get help.”

Ms Malcolm turned to the Quarriers Epilepsy Community Outreach Service for help, with a particularly strong relationship forming with one outreach worker.

She said: "There was a lovely outreach worker who ran the peer support group, she came to see me at home.

"She asked me what I needed, how I felt. I wasn’t getting any real help from anywhere at that stage, so it was lovely to have someone listen to me. "

Her relationship with the support group became pivotal when she applied for disability allowance and was rejected.

Ms Malcolm said: "She helped me explain what it was really like to live day to day with epilepsy, and the challenges it brought.

"The allowance was approved which made a huge difference.

"I would encourage anyone who has epilepsy or if you have someone in your life who has epilepsy and you want to know more, to come along to the peer support group."

The support group meetings offered her a sense of belonging and mutual understanding.

Her son, who has also been diagnosed with epilepsy, has also benefited from the group's support.

The group is run by Leanne Hynes who provides tailored support to those living with epilepsy in the Kingdom.

Ms Hynes said they offer support in completing benefit application forms such as the new ADP, PiP, ESA and UC.

She added: "Knowledge of epilepsy and the impact it can have on a person’s life is important to ensure people living with epilepsy do get the benefits they are entitled to.

"We can help in providing accurate information on seizures and the physical, social, emotional and psychological effects of living with epilepsy."