[West Ender]

I had a friend who had epilepsy and had frequent fits, sometimes half a dozen in a day. When her epilepsy was at its worst she had a small daughter and baby twins. At the onset of a fit the little girl would wait until her mummy was on the floor then push her on to her side. If mummy was holding one of the babies she would pick it up and place it, carefully, beside her on the floor. Then she would wait, calmly, until her mummy came round and would sit stroking her head until she was able to function again. At this time the child was about 3 years old.

This wasn't a family where a child had to cope alone but daddy had to work for a living and the little girl had to know what to do. She was one of the many magnificent children who function in circumstances that would defeat many adults. She's nearly 40 years old now - and she's a lovely, caring, capable nurse.