Epilepsy sufferers get practical help in memory of Andrew Spencer

Jun 28 2010 by Joanne Douglas, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

Epilepsy sufferers get practical help in memory of Andrew Spencer

A NEW method of helping Huddersfield children with epilepsy has received a boost.

A nurse is to spend time with them in their own homes to help educate them about the condition.

And she has been given vital help by family and friends of epilepsy sufferer Andrew Spencer, who died suddenly two years ago.

It is not know if the condition contributed to his untimely death, but his friends and family were determined to do something to help others like him in his memory.

They formed the Andrew Spencer Memorial Trust which has raised thousands since 2008.

Friend Helen Finelli said their aim was to do something practical to help causes Andrew was passionate about.

So they’ve just donated a portable DVD player to paediatric epilepsy nurse Judith Vincent at Huddersfield Royal Infirmary so she can take information straight to children with epilepsy.

It will help educate them about the condition in a more informal way in their own homes.

Helen, who works on the children’s ward at Calderdale Royal Hospital, said: “The Trust has always been supportive of raising awareness of epilepsy and educating people so I asked how it could help, what would make their job easier.

“The portable DVD player will mean Judith can go into people’s homes and schools to speak to them, show them a DVD which will shows them how to manage epilepsy.