Life can be stressful. But this week proved to be more stress that even I could have bargained for. 
Ive been manically organising and preparing for the fundraiser I am doing for Epilepsy Action. 
Its called Jo’s Epilepsy Awareness tea party. I am doing it as part of epilepsy actions tea break however I thought the idea of a coffee morning was too boring and while I was laying in my hospital bed in July thinking what I could do I came up with what ive ended up with!  

I am having craft stalls bric a brac and sales tables, tombola, glitter tattoos, name the bear, quiz, sweepstake, tea coffee refreshments and cake and live music. its all a lot to organise and plan. Despite it all being written on a piece of paper looking all neat and tidy with coloured pencils I have a conservatory full of untidy boxes, tables, epilepsy table, raffle prizes, tickets and all sorts of things i didn’t plan for!. 
Ive been working so so hard i’m exhausted which makes emotions run ragged and then the events that have happened this week were just enough to make the tears run. Anyway let me tell you about the fundraiser. 
My friends and family and neighbours have been amazing. They have been turning out their draws and cupboards to find things for me to sell and raffle and use that is why I  have boxes everywhere ! when we started mum said to me… we don’t have enough to sell ( id started collecting things and i knew we would have enough) however by the end of sorting through bags of stuff from my lovely neighbours we had plenty… in fact we had 2 tables, one book case and a clothes rail full of things to sell ! 

My other neighbour was doing the tombola and her mum the teas and coffees. My friend Sue from band was lovely enough to offer her glitter tattoo services and make all the willing crowds be glittered for the occasion ! i ended up having three myself ! 
Unfortunately my other friend couldnt make it as she was unwell.. that was one reason my emotions were high. Shes my best friend and i miss her loads. Get Well soon T XXX 

It was all worth it in the end though all the hard work, preparations and organising. We had crowds of people turn up despite the yucky weather and it was a happy day had by all. I was literally run ragged by the end of it feeling quite unwell but I enjoyed every minute.

I thank everyone who came and everyone who helped out. 

The whole reason i started fundraising and raising awareness was I went to America in May – June 2009 and out there my life was totally different. Everyone knew what epilepsy was and how to deal with it. they all knew i wasn’t drunk or a lunatic and they helped instead of running away. 
This is what awareness can do. 

I want to keep raising awareness of epilepsy until everyone in England knows what it is. I want people not to be afraid of me if i fall. I will not stop raising awareness. I want to make a difference in the world of epilepsy awareness. I also want to help find a cure and to do that research they need money. This is why I’m fundraising Im fundraising for a cure. 

At the fundraiser there was also a epilepsy awareness stall. it had information, photos and info on from when i was in hospital. it had teddy bears with EEG wires and all sorts of info and leaflets for people to read, take and learn. 

I really hope that on Saturday I made a difference to a few people, the way they think of epilepsy and maybe taught people something. I hope i raised a little more awareness. I know I raised some more money for the cure…. so far we are nearly at £300  ! and im still counting. 


So was there anything I was disappointed about? just one.  The people who I support in whatever they do did not come. not even a sorry couldn’t make it on my FB page. Also my mums side of the family didn’t support, not one of them. it just shows that there is so much more work to do ! 

for now id like to just leave you with 2 words.