ABSTRACT
About a third of all people with learning disabilities will have epilepsy. (Michael, 2008)
This chapter begins by considering the nature of epilepsy, how it affects people and how to give appropriate support to people who have epilepsy. The reader will then be introduced to Roger, who had a severe form of epilepsy. Some aspects from Roger’s life are considered in order to demonstrate not only the importance of correct health support for people who have learning disabilities and epilepsy, but also some harmful effects that stem from diagnostic over-shadowing. Roger’s case study is also employed to assist the readers to think about their own work or practice context and how they may
support people who have epilepsy. It also demonstrates that some causes of learning disability can be life-threatening, require skilled support and may yet cause death. Roger’s story also refl ects some of the celebratory aspects from his life, including that a person with a learning disability has a life and personality that is just as complex, idiosyncratic, humorous, serious and ultimately as fragile as anyone else’s, and whose death is mourned just as much by those closest to him, as would befi t any human being.
