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Twydall mum Samantha Burton says seizure alert dog would ease life with epilepsy

00:01, 25 February 2015

For five years a young mum has struggled to live with a medical condition that puts both her and her daughter in danger but is trying to raise money for a life-saving solution.

A seizure alert dog would change 24-year-old Samantha Burton and her five-year-old daughter Kiera-Lilly’s lives completely.

Miss Burton, from Twydall, has been living with epilepsy for five years and said the condition has left her trapped in her own home.

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Samantha Burton with five-year-old daughter Kiera-Lilly
Samantha Burton with five-year-old daughter Kiera-Lilly

The former Rainham School for Girls pupil said: “Epilepsy has had a massive impact on my life. I’ve lost my confidence going out because when you have seizures in the street, people look at you funny and automatically assume you are drunk or on drugs.”

"I’ve lost my confidence going out because when you have seizures in the street, people look at you funny and automatically assume you are drunk or on drugs” - Mum Samantha Burton

A seizure alert dog can be trained to fetch medicine or a phone, alert others in the house, press an alarm, brace a person as they fall and provide stimulation to bring them back to consciousness.

Day to day life is hard for Miss Burton as she has cannot bathe herself or her daughter without another family member at home incase she has a seizure.

The condition has also had an impact on Kiera-Lilly. Miss Burton said: “She has night terrors. She woke up one morning and she told me that I was walking her to the park and I was holding her hand and I fell down and I died.

“It breaks my heart hearing her say that, it is horrible knowing that she has that fear of going out with me on her own.”

Miss Burton is hoping to raise £4,950 for a seizure alert dog which would make her feel more confident at home and outside.

Watch: the difference a dog could make

She said: “It would have a massive impact on my life. It will give me the confidence to leave the house knowing that I will be safe and knowing that my daughter will feel reassured.

“I will also feel a lot safer in my house knowing that when I do have a seizure that the dog will be able to keep me safe and alert family members of friends that I am unwell. Especially if my daughter is home alone with me.”

Henry Fitzsimons from Service Dogs Europe said: “They can accompany their owner wherever they go and help them live more independently and can also help decrease the amount of seizures suffered as the owner becomes less anxious when they’re around.”

To donate visit the fundraising page.


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