Eamonn's story

Diagnosis

After just one test, Eamonn was diagnosed with epilepsy. Initially he was in denial and trying to continue with his usual life. He was still going out with his mates after work and drinking into the early hours. As a young man, Eamonn didn’t want his epilepsy to get in the way of him living his usual life. He admits he wasn’t taking his medication or his condition seriously. It wasn’t until he had a few more seizures and another appointment with a doctor that he realised he couldn’t continue this lifestyle as he was bluntly told that he was ‘playing Russian Roulette with his life’. 

Eamonn moderated his drinking and always made sure he was hydrated, particularly before those days where he would have a rugby match and there were socials afterwards. He said; “I also made sure I got more hours of sleep. Making that call to decide when the party ends was a big call but one I knew I had to make to ensure I wasn’t going to put my health at risk.”

Keeping fit and playing rugby

Eamonn started playing rugby when he was six years old and now plays in the second and third team for Huel Tring Rugby.  Fortunately, Eamonn was not advised to stop playing rugby but the physiotherapists were very firm with him and made sure they got all the information they needed so that they could ensure his safety while playing. 

He also plays for an epilepsy awareness rugby team called Purple Cobras in Gosport. Purple Cobras is founded in Gosport but play multiple 7s matches around the south of England area.

The focus of the club (Huel Tring Rugby) is on developing local players from a young age through to senior level and they have supported Eamonn in continuing to play. He said: “The physios check in with me a lot regarding my epilepsy and have even withdrawn me from a match when they felt I was getting auras - I was in fact, so I was very grateful they stopped me! My warnings tend to be like twitches - people have referred it to "like my head is resetting itself". I start to become very vague and vacant with my responses, which accompanied by the twitches, prompts people that I am about to have a seizure.”

Supportive employer in a demanding industry

With long hours, being on your feet and not getting much time to yourself, you’d not think hospitality would be the first choice for someone with epilepsy. As hospitality was the family business, Eamonn didn’t want to do anything else. He did feel his condition was holding him back when he was younger as there was an old-fashioned belief that working extra hours was a badge of honour. 

Eamonn said: “I found it frustrating when epilepsy restricted the hours I could do compared to others. Some people could easily do over 45 hours whereas I can’t. The extra hours in the industry are a now outdated badge of honour but at the time I felt like my condition was holding me back when I was younger. I'm not sure what else I would have got in to. I always joked I would get into estate agency - so that I would call my own business Eamonn's Homes. A joke only a certain generation would get (my colleagues don't know who Eamonn Holmes is!).”

Fortunately, Eamonn’s employers, The Akeman in Tring, are very supportive and allow him to manage his shifts so he has enough time between them to recover as sleep is very important. All of Eamonn’s management colleagues are first aid trained (and know what to do if he has a seizure ) and the rest of his team know to ensure his head is protected, surroundings are clear and if a seizure lasts longer than five minutes to call 999.One time he had a tonic clonic seizure but his colleague noticed and was able to catch him as he fell so he didn’t injure himself.  In 2019, the company chose a dish

What would you recommend that people do if they have epilepsy? 

We asked Eamonn for his advice for someone newly diagnosed with epilepsy and he said: “ALWAYS get enough sleep, give your brain the time to reset. Hydration is very key as well. I bring a three-litre bottle of water to work every day that has the times of the day so I can track my intake. Make people aware of your triggers and your warning signs. With the great work that charities such as Epilepsy Society and public figures like Tommy Freeman and Rosie Wrighting MP are doing is progressively de-stigmatising the condition. Being transparent about your condition just might save your life.”