Man with epilepsy asked me to help him cross the road and take him to nearby pub?

[mumznet]

Hi,

Not had much experience with this but I was out and this man was holding onto a gate's lock and he aksed me if I could help him cross the road because he has epilepsy. His hand and arm was shaking so he held onto my arm pretty tight and I crossed the road with him, then he also asked me if I can take him to the pub. It wasn't too far so I carried on.

Just wanted to know what epilepsy is like, and what support do people suffering from epilepsy need? I am not sure if I was meant to call for help or get the man an ambulance?

thanks

Sadly I can't help wonder if wasn't just an alkie dealing with DTs... which wouldn't rule out being epileptic, too, of course.

Even so, Sounds like you did the right thing, gave him the autonomy to go where he wanted. IIRC, there are lots of forms of epileptic seizure, the most dangerous ones it would be obvious to you that he needed medical care (risk of immediate injury or difficulty breathing. But I'm happy to be corrected.

I meant carried on and dropped him by the pub door. sorry

I have epilepsy & unless I'm having a seizure or an absence I don't need help or assistance from other people, however others may be difference.

Guidelines do say that if you see someone having a seizure, you are meant to try to ensure they are not seriously hurting themselves without moving them & call an ambulance.

Do not touch them or hold their limbs down.

I have only had a handful of seizures whilst awake - most of mine are at night.
Quite a few in public, once whilst at work in Topshop, once whilst I was on a bus, however I prefer not to go to hospital as along as I haven't hurt myself seriously (fits always end up hurting in someway) they don't really do anything!

Sounds like an alcoholic to me too, probs just as well you crossed him over so he could get a drink otherwise he might have had a withdrawal type seizure!

Thanks guys x