How James refuses to be snookered by his epilepsy

James experienced his first stroke just before his 18th birthday, and in March 2015 was diagnosed with epilepsy. Nearly eight years later, he is a competitive snooker player playing in the World Disability Billiards and Snooker tour (WDBS). Here he explains the importance of sport for his health and mental well-being.

“When I had my first seizure, in Feb 2015, I felt quite lost for the first few weeks. I was scared it would become worse, worried about how it would affect my social life and how I spend time with my family and friends. I was anxious about its impact on my ability to play sports.

It really helped that my family were so supportive and still are. My dad and mum were great, they were shocked, but wanted to understand more about epilepsy and how it would affect my life. The information we got from the Epilepsy Society really helped us answer our questions.

I began having seizures just before I turned 18 and was diagnosed with epilepsy in March 2015. I continued having seizures once or twice a month whilst I was learning about my triggers and figuring out the right dose of medicine. Once the doctors finally found the right medication strength, I didn’t have another seizure for nearly six years.

During the six years that I was seizure free I achieved my undergraduate degree in Sport Management from the University of Gloucestershire and Masters in Sport Management from Coventry University. As part of my masters, I wrote a dissertation in which I discussed the benefits of snooker in a social context. I found that sports like snooker can help children and adults with their math and English, reduce social anxiety, the ability to make new friendships and even contribute to increased attendance in children in schools.

Hooked from the start

I fell in love with snooker from the very first time I played. I remember I was at a school friend’s house when I was nine years old and we played on his half-sized table. I was hooked from the beginning. Playing snooker and pool has allowed me to become a part of a wonderful community in the last two and a half years, I have made many friends, and gained many mentors. I’ve had the opportunity to play with ex-professionals which has really helped me improve my game. I’ve recently started playing in the World Disability Billiards and Snooker tour (WDBS) last March in Northampton, I reached my first main tour Quarter Final in Stockport in October last year, I am currently number 9 in my classification (Group 6B - Autism with an IQ over 75). 

Benefits of sport

99% of the time when I’m playing sport it’s beneficial for me. It allows me to escape the stresses of real life and it’s good for my mental health. Sports provide people with a wonderful way to get involved in a new culture and community and feel comfortable and safe in their surroundings. One of the things I love most about snooker is that whether you’re playing for fun or taking it seriously, every game is an opportunity to learn or practice something new. One of my goals this year is to hit a 50 break. 

I understand how life changing, scary and confusing epilepsy can be. The anxiety of being in a social situation, like at the cinema or a sports game, and knowing that the flashing lights could cause you or someone else to have a seizure can be very overwhelming. It can also be frustrating when people simply do not seem to grasp what it means to have the condition. People have looked at me and said I’m fine, when they don’t know how my medical condition affects me. 

That’s why I want more people and organizations to understand what epilepsy is, and how to make the world more inclusive for people with epilepsy. I want people to feel safe knowing there are more policies in place to protect them, and more guidelines in pace so more people know what to do when someone has a seizure.”

How to support someone through a seizure

Find out more about seizure first aid.