I was diagnosed with epilepsy in 1998. I’d had a head injury at a funfair, that evening I had a seizure, although I didn’t know it was a seizure at the time. We never thought any more about it after my ‘funny turn’, but then they started happening more frequently. When my GP suggested it might be epilepsy, I went immediately into denial. I found, as some people do, that a diagnosis of epilepsy is difficult to accept. It was particularly difficult for me, since I highly value my independence.

The impact of seizures on my everyday life was huge. It affected me quite dramatically. Immediately I lost my driving licence and I had to start epilepsy medication which had nasty side effects. Despite these medications, I’ve never had complete control. Ultimately I lost my job because of my epilepsy, which I found devastating.

As far as my independence goes, everyday tasks that I used to take for granted suddenly became hazardous to me. Things like having a bath, cooking, ironing and going out and about. I was wary of going out on my own; my confidence was knocked quite severely. Your relationships with people are affected; my mum became extremely protective of me.

I went along to the Epilepsy Action branch in Stockport; there was a young man who had a Support Dog. When I asked him about the dog, he told me that she was a Seizure Alert Dog and could give him an advanced warning of a seizure.

I got in contact with Support Dogs and began the process to apply for a Seizure Alert Dog. There is a lot involved in the process before you eventually come home with your dog. I met Dougal in February 2008. The trainer was pleased, so I went for my intensive training. Fortunately for me, Dougal was a quick learner. By the time he came home with me, he was already alerting me to imminent seizures.

Dougal gives me a 10-minute alert. If I’m at home watching TV he’ll come and sit right in front of me blocking the telly. When I ask him ‘what’s the matter’ if he is alerting to a seizure he will whine, if I am not sure I’ll get one of his toys and try playing with him, if he is trying to alert me he just won’t play he will just carry on looking at me and then I know I need to prepare for a seizure.

Having Dougal in my life has made it complete again. He has given me the independence that I have been seeking for the last ten years and has enabled me to have the relationship I should have with my family and friends.

Dougal means the world to me and I can’t imagine life without him, he has transformed my life from being dependant to independent, he is so special, I love him to bits.