MARCH 17, 2020 \ STARWEEKLY.COM.AU
Beating epilepsy By Jessica Micallef Krystal Bourke has been seizure free for almost eight years, thanks to two brain surgeries just one week apart. he Kyneton resident, now 28, was diagnosed with epilepsy when she was just two-years-old. “Since I was two, I had many its a day, up to eight its a day. It didn’t help with my learning [and] I had anxiety and depression from it,” Ms Bourke said. “Before I had a it … I would have a video clip play in my mind and then the next minute, I would be on the loor. “I couldn’t make friends, I had to go to a special education school. I only learnt in the last eight years how to cook and look ater myself because I couldn’t be around anything hot like water or a stove.” Ms Bourke said she had been on medication since being diagnosed, but says it was two brain surgeries in July 2012 which inally helped her manage the epilepsy. “he irst surgery … they put the electrodes in to ind where the epilepsy was coming from. “hen the second surgery was to remove the piece of the brain and the bone where the epilepsy was.” A long recovery process followed. Ms Bourke said she sufered memory loss and mental breakdowns. But she said her life had changed “massively” since the surgeries. “I can inally drive, I can work, I can look ater myself and do things by myself. “It’s a big diference. I can go to nightclubs and not have seizures.” Ms Bourke hasn’t had a seizure since her surgery, but says she is still at “high risk”. “I have what they call auras. It’s a sensation that you would have before the seizure,” she said. “I still have the sensation but it doesn’t go anywhere else. I have an assistance dog who warns me when I am going to have auras.” Ms Bourke shared her story to raise awareness of Epilepsy Action Australia’s International Purple Day on March 26. “It’s [epilepsy] an invisible disability and people don’t understand how epilepsy afects you,” Ms Bourke said. “Epilepsy Action Australia have been the biggest help for me. hey have helped me all the way through and still do.” People are being encouraged to wear something purple on March 26 to show their support. Details: epilepsy.org.au/fundraise/ purple-day/
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I can look after myself and do things by myself
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- Krystal Bourke
Krystal Bourke with her assistance dog, and best friend, Darby. (Marco De Luca) 206017_02