Mum raises £10k for life-changing epilepsy machine

The mother of a girl with epilepsy has raised £10,000 to get life-changing equipment installed at the family's local hospital in West Sussex.

Michaela, from Chichester, says an electroencephalogram (EEG) machine will dramatically improve care for patients like two-year-old Elodie, who was diagnosed with the condition last year.

The 32-year-old is currently having to take her daughter over an hour away to the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton to use the EEG there.

Michaela said the extra machine St Richard's Hospital in Chichester would "make a massive difference to everyone who has to travel long distances to get the help they need".

The mother-of-three said Elodie's diagnosis was "terrifying".

"She started making odd eye movements last September - it was like they were drooping," said Michaela, who was speaking to mark Wednesday's Purple Day 2025, a global initiative to raise awareness about epilepsy and support those living with the condition.

"After that the seizures started and Elodie went from being really spaced out and unaware. to her whole body turning rigid.

"She'd shake and then stop breathing."

The EEG at Brighton revealed the problem and what treatment was required.

Shortly after the diagnosis, she went back to St Richard's Hospital for some procedures, said Michaela.

She said: "The staff there were all brilliant and my girl's been seizure-free for months, although she still needs regular EEG monitoring to keep on top of things."

Michaela recently set up a GoFundMe page and organised a raffle to raise the £10,000 needed for another EEG at St Richard's.

EEGs are suitable for patients of all ages and can also be used to detect the early stages of Alzheimer's and the likelihood of recovery of those in a coma.

"I can't believe I managed to raise all that money in just few weeks," said Michaela, adding that any extra cash will go towards items such as anti-suffocation pillows, alarms and monitors for those impacted by epilepsy.

The University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust has been contacted for comment.

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