Lauren Toal: Understanding Epilepsy in the Workplace

By Lauren Toal

I have been living with epilepsy for the past twenty years and have been lucky enough to be seizure free for the past eleven. Currently, I work within an organisation which openly supports colleagues with disabilities, although I have had some very different experiences in the past.

Previously, I’ve worked in other organisations that haven’t been supportive of my epilepsy, to the point where I was sacked by an employer after having a seizure. There was also a massive lack of awareness and understanding of what epilepsy is and how it impacts people.

I’ve been asked before if people can catch epilepsy! It’s a hidden disability and there’s a lot to do in terms of understanding in how they can support someone with this neurological condition.
Being able to work in a hybrid environment is crucial for someone who has epilepsy. When you have a seizure, it severely impacts you physically, mentally and emotionally so having the ability to recover and work from home is really beneficial. It’s also important for employers to take into account seizures when it comes to absences.

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