ALTHOUGH research recently done by the British Epilepsy Association shows that one in 130 people has epilepsy, I believe that people do not not know enough about a condition that has the potential to touch their lives in some way.

Many I have come into contact with believe that epilepsy is a form of mental illness, is caused by too much drink or by taking drugs. In reality, nothing could be further from the truth.

Our brains are like a computer, consisting of a vast network of nerve cells called neurons. Electrical messages fired between these cells control everything we do.

However, sometimes without warning, an upset in brain chemistry causes the messages to become scrambled. When this happens, the neurons fire off faster than usual in bursts. This disturbed activity causes a seizure.

What people do not seem to understand is that epilepsy can affect someone at any time of life.

Although it does tend to start in early life, it can also be caused by an injury, stroke, but, sometimes, a cause cannot be found.

The treatment can be a long process, because one drug treatment might work for one person and not another.

Once the right treatment has been found, there is no reason why the person cannot lead a normal life - so long as society will let them.

KAREN CONNOLLY (Mrs), Oban Drive, Blackburn.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.