'I thought she was going to die' - Mum recalls daughter's first seizures ahead of Epilepsy Action 10k

"We took her to hospital, but she didn’t have a temperature and her observations were fine, so we were discharged shortly after.

“The following day, Sophia was in the sling on my front and suddenly went totally solid and held her breath. I thought she was choking and I can honestly say I thought she was going to die. We went back to the hospital and this time she was admitted. Things soon escalated and the seizures came thick and fast.”

Aged six weeks, Sophia was diagnosed with epilepsy, a condition that affects the brain and causes frequent seizures. Seven months later, after countless tests, medics determined she had a defect of the SCN8A gene, resulting in epilepsy and global development delay.

Now six-years-old, Sophia is able to communicate using Makaton signs, as well as some words, and can walk holding hands or with her walker.

"She makes us so proud every single day,” Anna says. “It doesn’t matter what is thrown at her, she always comes back stronger. Her determination to do and achieve new things is admirable.

"Watching Sophia progress makes me want to be the strongest person I can be for her. Everyone she meets leaves with a smile and is happier for seeing her.”

In March, Anna, from Ripon, is taking part in the annual Epilepsy Action Bradford 10k in honour of Sophia, explaining “my daughter’s epilepsy has changed our lives”.

Epilepsy is one of the most common serious neurological conditions in the world. It affects around 600,000 people in the UK. Anna is hoping that taking on this 10k challenge will help to raise awareness about the condition and the wide-ranging impact it has on the lives of those affected.

The constant fear of seizures has a huge effect on the Warrington family, Anna says. “We don’t like to go where there’s no phone reception just in case we need an ambulance.

"If Sophia isn’t with us, we always have our mobiles with us so we can be contacted at all times. It’s emotionally draining constantly being on high alert.

“The pressure that seizures put on us as a family is difficult to explain to anyone who hasn’t experienced it. We are mum and dad one second and nurses the next, making sure Sophia’s in the recovery position and checking that she’s breathing correctly.

"If we’re in a period of Sophia having lots of seizures, we’re unable to focus on anything else. We feel we can’t leave her for any reason, even to go to the loo, and our stress levels are unbelievably high.”

Anna is running the Bradford 10k for a second time to raise money for Epilepsy Action so it can continue supporting families affected by epilepsy. She has already raised more than £200.

“I started running a number of years ago and I did the Couch to 5k with my local running club. I progressed from 5k and completed the Bradford 10k back in 2019. This was my first 10k so I was nervous, but I had a good group of friends running it with me.

"The atmosphere at the finish line was great and it was even better to know I did it for Epilepsy Action. I’ve hardly run in the last year, but I was determined to complete the Bradford 10k again this year.”

The Epilepsy Action Bradford 10k will take place on March 12. Since it began in 2008, runners have raised more than £600,000 for the charity.

Louise McCormick, running events coordinator at Epilepsy Action, says: “We’re delighted that Anna will be returning to the Bradford 10k this year and she’ll be one of many runners crossing the finish line for a fantastic cause.

"Money raised from the Bradford 10k helps us to support people affected by epilepsy, like Anna and Sophia, when they need us most. We wish Anna the best of luck in the race and hope to see her back again next year.”

To sign up to the 10k, visit epilepsy.org.uk/bradford.

To donate to Anna, visit justgiving.com/fundraising/anna-warrington