Read Amy’s story

Amy has lived at The Meath since 2016 when her home, Bradbury House, first opened its doors to residents. Recalling her early days at The Meath she commented “when I first moved to The Meath, I remember there was an outside concert for residents to perform. I was new and a bit nervous, but I dressed up as Audrey Hepburn and sang Moon River. I loved it, the crowd applauded, and I knew I was home!”

Now a well-established and a popular member of The Meath community, Amy is an enthusiastic participant in a broad range of activities. Amy has a striking energy, curiosity, and enthusiasm for life, and a real need to be creative and to perform to feel fulfilled. Her ability to explore a wide range of interests and pursuits is made all the more impressive when one begins to appreciate just how much Amy has to contend with in her daily life.

Amy, Isobel and Ella at the Meath for BBH party.

Amy, Isobel and Ella at the Meath for BBH party.

Talking about epilepsy, seizures, and the challenges that these create is highly personal and potentially upsetting, but Amy is driven by a need to share her story. She doesn’t want sympathy; she doesn’t need it. But she does want people to understand what her life is like. Calmly and candidly, Amy explained how her life journey with epilepsy began. “I had a stroke at 10 months old. Without the stroke I wouldn’t have epilepsy and I wouldn’t have a weaker side.”

Amy lives with a weaker left side because of the stroke she suffered as a baby, and she experiences daily absence seizures. It is usual for Amy to experience between 10-14 seizures every day. She takes 62 pills per day over four medication rounds and, in addition to epilepsy, she has a mild learning difficulty and a rare metabolic disorder which means that her body cannot process more than 37g of protein every day. Amy is acutely aware of the severity of her dietary requirements. She explained “The pills keep me how I am, without them I couldn’t live the life I want. If I go over my protein allowance by 10 grams, I would be very ill and I could have to go to hospital, it’s serious stuff. I accept it all but it’s always there and it takes real effort to keep on top of it all”.

Just observing the level of hard work that goes into supporting Amy to be well, safe, and as independent as possible is exhausting. Amy’s medical needs are in many ways unimaginably complex and extraordinary; but with the right support, she is able to put her life centre stage and to keep her medical conditions in the wings.

The unpredictable nature of Amy’s frequent seizures means that many daily tasks that most people take for granted are littered with serious hazards. Since living at The Meath, Amy has enjoyed developing and gaining confidence with her independent living skills. “I love cooking, but I could pounce into a seizure at any time, so I do need support to feel safe around knives and heat. However, I have really improved my confidence in the kitchen and my ability to prepare my own meals means that I feel more in control of my low protein diet.”

Amy and family in park

Creativity and, in particular, performance are a huge part of Amy’s life and the ability to take part in creative and expressive arts through The Meath’s Skills Centre is key to her sense of self and wellbeing. She explains why this is: “Singing has always been a big part of my life because my dad is an opera singer. I love dressing up and going on stage! I sing with The Meath Choir. I also like going to shows, whether it’s theatre, musicals or opera.”While Amy has a dedicated staff team to support her, peer support is also important to her. Amy has close friends and housemates who she’s known since childhood from her previous care setting. “I share a flat with my friends Isobel and Ella. I know them from Young Epilepsy, so we go way back and are really close.”

Amy & Chris at the Meath

Amy & Chris at the Meath

The Meath provides a nurturing close-knit community, but Amy also enjoys being supported to be an active member of the wider community. Life at The Meath seems to offer Amy a good balance. Time at home with her family is precious to her, as is her busy daily schedule of activities, social events with friends and her date nights with her boyfriend Chris. Chris lives on site in another house and the pair enjoy many activities together.