Breaking Down Barriers

The NHS states: “Epilepsy affects the brain and causes frequent seizures: bursts of electrical activity in the brain that temporarily affect how it works. Seizures can cause a wide range of symptoms.” Around 65 million people worldwide have epilepsy, and Purple Day is dedicated to raising awareness of the condition, via events and wearing the colour purple.

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26 March

PURPLE DAY (international day for epilepsy awareness)

DAWN WOLK

/dawnelainel

@dawn_wolk_

East Sussex nail pro, Dawn Wolk, was diagnosed with epilepsy in 2003, after seizing when she woke from an operation. Regular seizures mean she can only accommodate two clients per day, and serve people she knows well who support and understand her health needs.

“The most common seizures I have are tonic-clonic seizures, where I lose consciousness and my body shakes,” Dawn shares. “About 30 seconds before a seizure, I get a blinding pain behind my eyes and am fearful about what will happen. Afterwards, I feel exhausted, confused, scared and sore, and I must sleep. I also have absence seizures, which last around 30 seconds and can happen upwards of 50 times on a bad day. While I quickly recover, if this type of seizure happens while I’m creating a nail design, I can momentarily forget what I’m doing.”

Measures to ensure safety

Dawn’s husband converted their conservatory into a nail salon, allowing Dawn to be visible to him but still have career independence. “I have a high back padded chair with arm rests that reduces the risk of me falling onto the floor during a seizure, and shelves are kept away from the nail desk so I don’t bang my head,” Dawn reveals. “There is an alarm that clients or I can press if I’m about to have a seizure, which makes a loud noise to alert my husband – who is always close by. There is also a camera in the room, so he can check on my wellbeing. My clients know how to tell if I am having a seizure, and help create a relaxed atmosphere for me.”

DAWN’S TOP TIPS

For pros with epilepsy:

• “Know that epilepsy doesn’t define you. If you’re willing to put in the work, you can achieve your dreams – perhaps in a slightly different way.

• “Don’t be scared or embarrassed to talk about the condition. Educate others, including clients. This will reassure them and ensure they enjoy their experiences.

• “Don’t put too much pressure on yourself and allow time for breaks, as stress can be a trigger for seizures.”

For accommodating an epileptic client:

• “Communicate openly with the client, asking about their triggers and what you can do to make sure they are as safe as possible, such as taking a break.

• “Make sure your work environment is relaxing and comfortable.

• “People with epilepsy might bring someone with them to their appointment, in case of a seizure, so ensure they can be accommodated. If the client is alone, make note of their emergency contact.

• “If the client has a seizure, remain calm and call their emergency contact or if unavailable, an ambulance. Familiarise yourself with basic seizure first aid, which includes not restraining the person and moving anything that could be a hazard.

• “Consider using manual files rather than an E-file, to reduce the chance of injury if the client has a seizure.”

VONNY TUCKLEY

/vonnytuckley & /nailcraftbyvonny

@vonny_tuckley& @moyranails.uk

Owner of the Moyra UK nail brand, Vonny Tuckley, gave up a role in HR to work as a self-employed nail tech, after her epileptic son, Joe, underwent brain surgery when he was six. The career change has allowed her to provide Joe with the care required, and while he used to suffer life-threatening seizures multiple times per month, he has now been seizure-free for over two years.

Vonny did a skydive in 2015, donating £1,800 to charity, Epilepsy Research. She has raised over £800 for epilepsy charities via raffles, giveaways and events hosted by her nail business. She stresses the importance of greater awareness of epilepsy and similar conditions: “There are over 40 types of seizures and not all of them occur because of epilepsy. One of my clients had a focal seizure during a service and I was able to recognise it, stay calm, reassure her and finish her nails once the seizure had passed.”

Joe & Vonny

Vonny’s advice

“For nail professionals living with epilepsy, I’d advise avoiding potential triggers, such as stress, tiredness and viruses or infections. Also, take plenty of breaks and stay hydrated,” says Vonny. “To Scratch readers caring for someone with epilepsy: it can feel scary and isolating, but I’ve joined some brilliant social media groups and made connections with people who share similar experiences. Epilepsy charity websites, including Epilepsy Action, Epilepsy Society and Young Epilepsy, offer information about fundraising for the cause and provide kits to support.”

Facing functional neurological disorder (FND)

Charity, FND Action , details: “Functional neurological disorder (FND) is a brain network disorder that can encompass a diverse range of neurological symptoms, including limb weakness, paralysis, seizures, walking difficulties, spasms, twitching and sensory issues.”

SHARA TAYLOR

www.barebeautyaesthetics.co.uk

/SharaLiseNails

@barebeautyaesthetics.bristol

Bristol tech, Shara Taylor, battled cancer during the pandemic and presented stroke symptoms, which turned out to be FND triggered by the disease. She has suffered with two types of seizures ever since. During one, she is non-responsive and unable to speak or move, but can hear everything around her. The other type occurs in clusters and causes full body movements. It mainly occurs before Shara goes to bed and when she wakes up. “If I’m going to have a seizure, I usually get a warning, such as feeling sick or experiencing pain in my face,” Shara explains.

Due to FND, the nail pro works from her home. “I can’t build my business as I would like, as I have to rest in between clients,” she shares. “Stress and tiredness can trigger seizures and if I have had one, I must cancel any clients that day, due to the aftereffects. Sometimes I lose my speech for hours, and most of the time I struggle to walk. Luckily, I haven’t had a seizure while working and many of my clients have been loyal since before I had cancer, so are understanding. I also ensure the treatments I carry out are relaxed, and my daughter is home-based so can assist me if needed.”

When asked what she wants readers to take away from her story, Shara says the importance of being kind. “It is true that you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, as you don’t know what other people may be experiencing,” she comments. “For example, I know a woman whose 13-year-old daughter with FND suddenly lost the use of her limbs as a result of the condition, and had to learn to walk again. There was no reasoning behind it, and that can be hard for people to understand. There’s also a lack of research about FND, so there is limited information and support available.”

SHARA’S TIPS FOR TECHS WITH FND:

• “Don’t be embarrassed about the condition. Openly talking about it has helped me.

• “Have a good support network: whether in-person or online, as with little medical knowledge and help, the condition can feel isolating.”

Scan for a list of online FND support groups