So, I've just added a reward system to this page - donate £5 or more and receive a spoon charm to add onto a necklace or key ring; keep it for yourself or give it to someone who needs a bit of a boost that day. I wear a spoon charm on a necklace every single day - I have it on a piece of cord so I never actually take it off. I've given them to friends and family who I feel really need them - as a way to tell them to keep going and that I'm there to help them if they need it...

But, why? What is the spoon analogy?

The spoon analogy is not something that I came up with but read about online - written by Christine Miserandino, her original story is available to read at: www.butyoudontlooksick.com but I will describe it more briefly here.

A friend had asked Christine what it was like to be sick, not necessarily the day to day aches and pains or having to take medication, but what her experiences were of having to get through each day with her condition; what was it like to be like her? What was it like to be sick? At the time, Christine and her friend were sat in a diner surrounded by empty tables as it was late in the evening. All of the spoons from every table were gathered and Christine began to explain to her friend that the spoons she now had before her represented her illness. Her illness was represented by the 12 spoons that were now in her friend's hands. Being healthy assumes that you have an 'unlimited' or at least more 'extensive' number of spoons available to you to get you through your day, but when you are ill it is important to know how many spoons your are starting out with; each thing you complete 'costs' you a spoon (or maybe more than one spoon) - don't jump too far ahead, even the smallest tasks like sitting up or getting out of bed could rob you of a spoon or two. Choices have to be made and you constantly have to assess and reassess how you use your spoons. It varies, some days you have more spoons than others so more tasks can get completed - but don't forget, doing 'fun' things take up spoons too! If you only have 12 spoons for the day, it might only take an hour and you feel like you've already run out - those days are hard.

Christine finishes up her explanation by saying that she has "learned to live life with an extra spoon in my pocket, in reserve. You need to always be prepared.”

This is why I wear a spoon charm - to always have one in reserve and be prepared. If I really find it hard that day, I always have a spoon left to pick up the phone, or send a text to someone close to say I'm finding the day hard. A lot of my close friends are now so familiar with the analogy that all I have to say is 'I'm outta spoons today' and they give me a hand where I need it - no questions asked. If I'm out of spoons, I often can't even fully explain what it is that's wrong but this way I don't have to.

Through this we can spread the word of Epilepsy but also the spoon analogy. It can be applied to any type of illness or disability or even just to someone having a bad day!

Thanks again for all the support - keep reading, keep sharing!