Watch: Conversion Disorder Sufferer Pleads With Maltese Authorities For Seizure Alert Button
Around one year ago, Mandy Azzopardi was diagnosed with Conversion Disorder, a condition where a mental health issue disrupts how your brain works.
This causes real, physical symptoms that a person can’t control – including seizures, weakness or paralysis, or reduced input from one or more senses.
Unfortunately, Mandy began to suffer seizures – during her last seizure, her neck became locked tightly with her chest, leaving her unable to breathe. Luckily, someone was near her at the time, and helped her through the scary moment.
As a single mother with two children, Mandy is now afraid she’ll have a seizure when no one is around.
When she spoke to her psychiatrist about this, they suggested she go for a programme called Telecare On The Move, a holistic local project that sees patients provided with a device, free of charge, that’s connected to a 24 hour hotline.
If the patient ever faces a medical problem, they can press a button and alert a specialised team.
The thing is, it’s only given to patients over the age of 60, typically who suffer from dementia.
Mandy hopes she’ll be allowed to access this option and help calm her mind about suffering a seizure all alone.
“I’ve been told by medical professionals that if I happen to go into a seizure while alone, I could end up in a coma… this broke me. I’m 31-years-old and have kids. They need their mother and they need to see her safe.”
Mandy even uploaded a video talking about her plight to YouTube
Having spoken to professionals involved in the Telecare project, she was told that though it made sense for her to be on the programme, she was too young to apply.
“I feel heartbroken and like the system has failed me,” she says.
As someone who grew up in an institute, she’s well aware of what it’s like to be reliant on the state, but now that her health is at risk, she hopes her pleas fall on the right set of ears.
“I’ve been through so much, and I need help now,” she ended.
What do you make of Mandy’s situation?
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