Epilepsy & Seizures Support Group

Sorry Graeme that you are in a tough situation!!! If I am understanding your seizure on the bus right, when you start your seizure and your hands lock up, is it possible to be holding onto something at all times, as a precaution(before the seizure starts)like a towel or a shirt? It would concern me to, to worry about losing my only transportation. Good luck!!!!

Out of curiosity, what is causing your blood tests to come back positive with ammonia?

As far as transportation, does your country provide any benefits for people with disabilities? Because of my disability, I get a reduced fare and there are others, I think, that can ride free because they have more severe disabilities. There are even buses for people that can't walk to a bus stop that will pick them up at their door and take them to a doctor's appointment or such. The bus will come back to take them home, but they may have a longer wait.

Thanks for the comments Mcgree41 and reason2b. I've tried to use a shirt or piece of cloth, but this leads to me grabbing the nearest thing for support which can unfortunately be a passenger. I myself have tried breathing execises and these sometimes stop the seizure.

In Great Brittain for people to travel free on buses they must be over 60 or have dissabilities that stop them driving, like Epilepsy. We still pay a full fare before 9:30am and pay to use trains at a reduced rate.

Hi Greame, I live in Glasgow. Have you tried a Dial-a-bus service? It picks you up at your door and drops you in specific areas. You can also arrange to have your bus pass changed to a +1. This means you are entitled to have a companion travel with you for free. Your GP would have to sign some of the forms but its pretty straight forward.

Hope this helps x
Dee x

Your being partially sighted should help you with the whole +1 pass thing too x try asking at your local SPT travel centrex
Dee x

I've had siezures on the bus and i've been taken to the hospital twice. I don't think the siezures i had on the bus were grand mal but as a precaution, i always assume i'll have a siezure at any given time. When i'm on the bus i make sure to sit close to the window so i can cushion myself and also i make sure not to be holding anything attached to the bus I also make huge efforts to find secluded spots where my range of motion cannot hit anyone. At times when the bus is crowded i tell fellow passengers that i'm epileptic and that if i have a siezure they should not panic. In actuality, the bus service has no right to refuse you service. Also what i've noticed is that if you are a passenger who tends to have siezures, there is a chance that the driver will recognize you and deal with the siezure situation in a resposible manner. I've been epileptic for 5 years now and you may have experienced more than i have so you may be thinking " he doesn't have enough knowledge or understanding of the issue i face" but i hope this helps with protecting yourself as well as others on the bus. In my opinion, when your epileptic, worrying about how to protect yourself is more important than protecting others. Epilepsy becomes a lifestyle, so being prepared and always being calm is the best thing. my first siezure was frightening over the years it becomes a part of me, so i automatically preparemyself for any environment where i can be of danger. The bus is my only form of transportation so i had to make a choice between staying home and going to college.

Thanks Deeminx and Warrior 413. I try to protect myself when using public transport. Some drivers do recognise me and passengers including infants are shocked to see a seizure, it may be the first time. I carry a copy of my prescription and a sheet of my medicines in case it happens again. I have a medic alert card with the bus pass but this does not explain that the number which is a London one can receive reverse charges. Some people notice the bracelet and they are sensible enough to follow instructions. If it was not for these people I may not be here today.