Longford girl who has suffered 9,500 seizures leads Epilepsy fundraiser in Ardagh

The pupils of St Mel’s NS, Ardagh, led by Rebecca Reid, came together for a fundraiser for Epilepsy Awareness  last Friday. 

Rebecca, who is 13 years old, has 'Medically Refractory Focal Epilepsy’ and experiences multiple seizures every day, a total of 9,501 recorded seizures to date! 

Her mum Gráinne said, “Rebecca had her first seizure at 5 years old, in October 2015.” 

Rebecca, who lives in Ardagh, is in sixth class in St Mel’s National School, Ardagh. With her first seizure occurring in Junior Infants, Rebecca's epilepsy condition has impacted greatly on her primary school experience. 

Gráinne remarked, “Due to this, Rebecca along with her school, decided to mark International Epilepsy Day this year, to both raise awareness of the condition and raise funds for Epilepsy Ireland, which Rebecca is a member of.” 

As St Valentine is the patron saint of Epilepsy, International Epilepsy Day falls each year on the Monday of Valentine's week, with it being celebrated this year on Monday, February 12. 

Rebecca also has an awareness/ fundraising page on Facebook, which has raised €2,500 already to date in the past week, where Rebecca has recorded video messages, promoting the Epilepsy Ireland seizure first aid message of Time, Safe Stay - what to do if you witness someone having a seizure. (on first count she has raised €850 this morning in the school which will be added to the facebook page total). 

Although epilepsy impacts greatly on Rebecca's life, she is a true inspiration to her family, friends and community. Rebecca sings in her local choir in Moydow, and she also volunteers at her local ladies GAA club St Brigid's Gaels, Ardagh LGFA. 

Rebecca is a member of Epilepsy Ireland’s group Get Charty and her sister Emma, aged 9 years who is an amazing support to her sister,  attends the Epilepsy group Sibshop! 

Both girls wanted to give back to Epilepsy Ireland as they enjoy their groups so much and Rebecca also wanted to raise awareness about Epilepsy and seizure first aid.