A SWINDON mum who was determined not to let her epilepsy rule her life, is urging other sufferers to be open about their condition.

Michelle Page lived with the stigma attached to the condition and is backing a call by Epilepsy Action for more awareness of the illness so sufferers can feel more comfortable talking about it.

The 46-year-old was diagnosed at the age of seven, but it didn’t prevent her becoming a child gymnast, a coach and a springboard diver before she hit adulthood.

"Because of the stigma I was very determined to prove I was no different to anybody else,” she said. “People told me I couldn’t do this, I couldn’t do that. I was told I couldn’t have a child. That’s why I had my daughter.”

She was treated differently at school and stopped from doing things other pupils wouldn’t think twice about. “Even my mum wrapped me up in cotton wool.”

One thing that still rankles is that she was prevented from going on a school activity holiday, which is why she is delighted daughter Daniela, 13, is going on the same holiday this year.

As a youngster, Michelle, of Covingham, wanted to join the army or navy or do nursing. All of those careers were closed to her because of her condition. She eventually worked as a housing assistant.

But she was able to volunteer as a coach at her old gym club, Swindon School of Gymnastics. “They were happy for me to teach in the club. It was nice that they trusted me,” she said.

Michelle underwent brain surgery 20 years ago because medication did not control her seizures. It was 70 per cent successful and she hasn’t had a convulsion for 15 years.

“I was fed up with missing lots of my life. The operation was like a light at the end of the tunnel,” she said. “I’m still really, really pleased I had it.”

When she was 33 she gave birth to Daniela. Even before she got pregnant she had to stop taking several anti-convulsion drugs that would be dangerous for her baby. The pregnancy went smoothly, although she didn’t enjoy it because she was worried. But her daughter was born healthy.

The Epilepsy Action campaign, which has the backing of former S Club Juniors star Stacey McClean, is part of National Epilepsy Week.

In Wiltshire there are 4,600 people with the condition. A recent poll showed one in sufferers are embarrassed to talk about it even with friends, because of the stigma attached.