On the 29th July, following a long campaign from Epilepsy Ireland, the Free Travel scheme was extended to those who have been declared medically unfit to drive for at least 12 months. This is an issue which has impacted on people with epilepsy for many years and in this piece, Eva Ní Shúilleabháin from Co. Kerry describes the impact driving restrictions can have on people with epilepsy, as well as what the extension of the scheme means for her...
I have bi-temporal lobe epilepsy and I have never been able to apply for a driving license as I have been having seizures since the age of 17. I was reviewed for surgery last year but unfortunately, it has been discovered that it is not an option for me. I have had a VNS inserted since though, as a measure to help control my seizures. Testing for surgery meant that I had to have my hair shaved off and I’ve found that this has helped me be more open about my epilepsy – I used to have very long hair, so I find people tend to ask why I cut it all off! I have no issue now in telling them that I have epilepsy.
I did used to hesitate in telling people I had seizures and why I didn’t drive – I always thought it might impact my employment and prospects of promotion within work. As it turns out, my place of work has been extremely accommodating and understanding. I work five days a week like most people and my employers recognise that epilepsy is something I can’t control. Outside of work, I’ve found that with being more open about my epilepsy and my seizures, that people just want to learn more about the condition and if there’s anything they can do to help. If anything, I’ve found telling people has brought me closer to them because of their response.
I’ve always felt confined due to not being able to drive. I rely heavily on public transport and on friends & family to get around – even for medical appointments. I have to contact them first or research transport timetables and fares.
I first went to college in Galway, so I didn’t notice it as much back then as there was a dedicated bus service for students from Galway to Kerry. I went on to go to college in Dublin, and that’s when I noticed the challenges of not being able to drive could have. Train times dictated when I could go home to Kerry – and cost was a factor as well with fares being €60/€70 – a lot of money for any student but it always felt like an extra sting for me, because it was my only option.
Since attending college in Dublin, I ended up spending most of my life to date there. Being unable to drive, I tended to walk everywhere, and I didn’t notice the true impact that epilepsy and the driving restrictions could have.
In recent years, I’ve moved back home to Kerry – to a rural area – and this is when I really felt the impact being unable to drive had on my independence and truly felt that sense of confinement. I feel envious of people who on a whim can just sit in a car and take themselves off and go wherever they want – even for something as simple as a hair appointment.
Epilepsy has taken whims from me, and I rely on public transport – purely as a result of my medical condition. When travelling to Dublin for medical appointments, it costs at least €100 for me to get there – then you add in other charges such as Luas, Bus when you get there and sometimes, there will be a necessity for an overnight stay because of the timing of the appointments. It is a costly process – with the fact that I have epilepsy and being unable to drive directly attributing to those costs.
I would love nothing more than to be seizure free, be able to drive and have my own car. Maybe someday I’ll get there as my neurologist is reviewing my treatment and maybe we’ll find the one that works for me – but I don’t think this breakthrough is coming in the foreseeable future.
This is why I’m so grateful to see the changes being made to the Free Travel scheme. Epilepsy can be a difficult condition to come to terms with, but these changes feel like one of the most unseen impacts of my condition has finally been seen. I know it will help me so much and really make a difference and I can’t put into words how it felt to receive approval for the new scheme in recent weeks. I know that there will be many others who felt the same way.
Thank you to Epilepsy Ireland, Minister Humphreys and everyone involved in making this positive change happen.
Thank you Eva for sharing your experience with us and highlighting how this positive change will benefit you. You can find out more about the eligibility for the extended Free Travel scheme and the application process by visiting the 'Gov.ie' website.
You can read the official press release announcing the extension by visiting the 'News' section of our website.