Purple Day is the international awareness day for epilepsy and Scotland’s Jane Turner has become its Scottish ambassador. In 2012, Jane was diagnosed and since then has made it her mission not to let it affect her passion for golf. In 2017, Jane achieved her dream of gaining her first professional win at the LETAS Bossey Ladies Championship.
“When I was diagnosed with epilepsy in 2012 it was a condition I knew almost nothing about and because of this I felt very embarrassed by my epilepsy and actually a little ashamed. Speaking with the Epilepsy Action Helpline was what helped me to get past this horrible feeling and to understand my epilepsy and the repercussions of it, especially regarding my driving license.
When I was diagnosed in 2012 I was one of the top amateur golfers in Scotland, with a dream of turning professional and competing on the Ladies European Tour. The next months were difficult, I won’t deny that, but with the support from my family, friends and consultants and continually phoning the Epilepsy Action Helpline I pushed forwards without giving in to the “disease” that people told me I had and the next year I turned professional.
I now play on the Ladies European Tour Access Series and in August 2017 I won the Bossey Ladies Open in France, my first profession win! I couldn’t have been more proud as I stood there holding my trophy making my speech.
If in 2012 someone had told me that despite my epilepsy I would still be able to follow my dreams and build a successful career as a professional golfer then I wouldn’t have believed them but, as it turns out, you can. So long as you have the belief, motivation and courage and the support from those around you then don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t achieve what you want just because you have epilepsy.
I think that a very large part of the general public are in the same boat today as I was in 2012 with very little knowledge about epilepsy and don’t realise that it is the most common serious neurological condition in the world and that over 54,000 people in Scotland have the condition. I believe that this is why Purple Day is so important, we need to raise awareness and need to achieve more funding so that these people can be supported in the same way that I have been.”
Today is Purple Day which is an international grassroots effort dedicated to increasing awareness about epilepsy worldwide. Countries all over the world are invited to wear purple today to show their support. If you would like to show your support on socials use the hastags #purpleday #epilepsyawareness #epilepsyaction
