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A woman from the West Country was forced to work from home due to a health condition that made her colleagues “uncomfortable”. Ciara Smyth, 29, who suffers from epilepsy, felt isolated and “excluded”.
Epilepsy, which affects one in 100 people in the UK, is a condition that impacts the brain and causes repeated seizures. There are various types of seizures, with sufferers experiencing unusual sensations, uncontrollable movements, or going stiff, falling to the floor and shaking.
Ciara, from Weston-super-Mare in Somerset, revealed she has faced discrimination and isolation at previous jobs when being honest about her condition.
She said: “I’ve always been upfront with employers about my condition, but even when they start out supportive, that fades when the reality of managing a health condition kicks in.
“One employer made me work from home because people were “uncomfortable” about me having a seizure in the office. I found that really isolating, and despite occupational health reports saying I was safe to be there, I was excluded from key parts of my role.”, reports Somerset Live.
“Management also made several targeted remarks about my condition, which impacted my confidence and had a serious impact on my mental health.”
Ciara’s experiences come as Epilepsy Action, a charity, highlighted that individuals with epilepsy in the UK face discrimination when job hunting and in the workplace due to a lack of public understanding about the condition. Many people with epilepsy often feel compelled to conceal their diagnosis from interviewers, colleagues, and employers, reflecting a wider issue of stigma in the workplace.
Epilepsy Action’s survey, which included 2,000 participants across Britain for its “If I told you…” campaign, discovered worrying misconceptions. Nearly one-quarter (23%) expressed concerns regarding safety risks when considering hiring someone with epilepsy, and 27% doubted whether individuals with the condition could effectively handle certain roles or tasks.
Alarmingly, nearly 4 in 10 (39%) respondents harboured the mistaken belief that those with epilepsy are unable to manage work or responsibilities adequately.
Ciara said: “Now I’m in a workplace where my managers genuinely understand and my colleagues have even had seizure first aid training. It’s made a huge difference. I don’t want special treatment, I just need people to get that epilepsy doesn’t stop you from being good at your job.
“The problem isn’t the condition, it’s the assumptions people make about it.”
Rebekah Smith, Chief Executive at Epilepsy Action, highlighted the charity’s mission: “We want to shift the conversation from fear to understanding, from avoidance to action. This data tells us there is still so much work to do to make this happen.
“Too many people are still uncomfortable with epilepsy – even if it was to affect a potential partner, a friend, or a colleague.”
Epilepsy Action is urging individuals to become informed about epilepsy and learn proper seizure response techniques.
Find out more on its If I told you campaign page here.
Read more on Gloucestershire Live
