A YOUNGSTER from Cirencester with epilepsy is helping to raise awareness of the condition.

Purple Day, 26 March 2015 is the global day for epilepsy awareness and to mark this, UK charity Epilepsy Action launched the campaign ‘What does epilepsy look like?’.

Featuring in the campaign is Cirencester boy Jimi Hyde, aged five, and his mum Helen.

In the project, Epilepsy Action collaborated with people with epilepsy to document their condition during the last year.

The result is a series of photographic journeys showing the impact of epilepsy on the individual’s daily life, from the bumps and bruises of seizure-related accidents to managing multiple medicines and major life events.

Jimi, who attends Powell's Primary School in Cirencester, was diagnosed with epilepsy when he was three and his education and development are affected by his condition.

Helen explains: “Jimi’s epilepsy has an impact on everyone in the family. We are two and a half years into our epilepsy journey. As time has gone on, the complexities surrounding Jimi’s epilepsy have become greater and greater. Jimi’s seizures happen mostly at night, so his sleep is disturbed. This makes him tired during the day. There was a week in the past year when he had about eight seizures. That was really scary.”

Philip Lee, chief executive at Epilepsy Action, said: “Sharing personal stories and powerful images across a range of media helps us to challenge common misconceptions about epilepsy. These very individual experiences highlight the triumphs and frustrations of grappling with a complex neurological condition. They offer the general public a clearer idea of what epilepsy is, while addressing some of the stigma that sadly still exists. We really hope this campaign inspires other people to share and talk about their epilepsy, their challenges and celebrations, in an authentic and empowering way.”

For more on What does epilepsy look like?’ campaign, visit epilepsy.org.uk/purple