CAMPAIGNERS believe the wall of prejudice which has been built around epilepsy is finally beginning to crumble.

About one in 130 people have some form of the condition and their risk of premature death is three times that of the general public.

But successful campaigning has drastically improved the rights of epilepsy victims over the past 10 years. They are now allowed to drive after one seizure-free year and can also be provided with special insurance schemes for life, travel, motor and personal accident cover. They are also no longer refused visas into many European countries.

Epilepsy is defined as a tendency to have recurrent seizures. Some people have epilepsy as a result of damage to the brain, through, for example, injury, birth, trauma or stroke. Others have no known cause but have epilepsy as a result of being born with a low epileptic threshold. In 1995 the British Epilepsy Association launched its five-year strategic plan to boost services. Locally the Blackburn and District branch has about 50 members and will be holding a public meeting tonight at Blackburn Library, 7pm.

The meeting will coincide with National Epilepsy Awareness Week.

Consultant neurologists from Blackburn Infirmary and Royal Preston Hospital will be the guest speakers. People are welcome to attend.

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