Introduction by Roger and Sandie Scrivens

We lost our lovely young daughter Becky in May 2004. She was a victim of SUDEP – Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy.

Despite having suffered seizures since September 2001, she was only finally diagnosed as suffering from epilepsy a few days before she died. We had no knowledge of SUDEP and in fact heard the term for the first time a few days after Becky died. Nothing can bring Becky back to us but, in her memory, we support the efforts of the charity Epilepsy Bereaved. They were there for us following our enormous loss and actively promote the raising of awareness of both Epilepsy and SUDEP.

We urge you, especially any of you who have children or know of friends or family who either have epilepsy or who have demonstrated symptoms, to visit the Epilepsy Bereaved web site at www.sudep.org. On that site, as well as learning more about this much misunderstood condition, you can read our Becky’s Story (Click Here) which is also copied below. 

Becky's Story

Becky became a victim of SUDEP on a wet spring morning in May 2004, exactly 3 months short of her 12th birthday.

She suffered her first ever seizure in September 2001. She was promptly seen by a registrar at the local hospital but, despite all the clues (so obvious in hindsight) we were sent on our way with a “nothing to worry about, it’s probably migraine, we can’t do anything more unless the episodes become regular and frequent” message.

After a further 2 years of sporadic night time fits, those words of comfort converted to concern when seizures appeared during the first weeks of January, February and March 2004. We pushed our GP for a referral and were given an appointment to see a paediatrician who was adamant that Becky was suffering from migraines. He did, however, agree to arrange for her to undergo EEG and MRI scans for our peace of mind but stated that even if we were proven right, seizure control medication was “out of the question for a child of this age”.  We have subsequently found this statement to be totally unfounded. No mention was made of SUDEP.

When Becky finally had her EEG it did indicate that she was indeed suffering from epilepsy.  Three days before we were due to visit the hospital to discuss the MRI results, Becky passed away. A few days after her death we heard about “sudden unexpected death in epilepsy” for the first time. Even then it was in the form of a passing reference from the Coroner’s Office. Then some web searching uncovered the Epilepsy Bereaved site and our first viewing of the acronym SUDEP… and the horror associated with it including 3 deaths every day in the UK alone.

Becky’s earlier life had, in hindsight, given clues to her epilepsy. She appeared to have early learning difficulties. Was she a dyslexia sufferer? We investigated but the results seemed to confirm that she was actually a very bright girl who often just “drifted off” for brief periods. These absences were probably early signs of her epilepsy. In fact, during the last months of Becky’s life, she complained of brief ‘flashing light/bright colour’ visual disturbances on a daily basis and was concerned that her teachers may think that she wasn’t concentrating during lessons. These daytime experiences continued to be diagnosed as migraines up until her death.

Becky was a beautiful, fun loving, intelligent, caring girl who was much loved by all who knew her. She was clearly highly respected amongst her peers who, we subsequently learned, would turn to her when they wanted impartial, knowledgeable advice.

Becky had many friends, which was particularly evident from the number of both boys and girls who attended her memorial service. She was, however, a ‘girly’ girl who loved pretty things, particularly in pinks and purples.

Becky was addicted to crafts and would spend hours in her room making things, beautiful things, out of oddments. She could amuse herself quite happily. If we couldn’t find her we knew she would be in her room, her “special place”, making something. She loved to draw and also produced some very creative writing. In her last year at primary school, aged 10, she wrote a Valentine poem for a school competition. She was highly embarrassed when it was announced at the Valentine’s disco that she had won the competition!

HE LOVES ME?
By Becky Scrivens (Year 6)

He is just a boy, he fancies me,
Or does he?
I just don’t get it, I don’t see,
He loves someone, is it me?

Look at the stars twinkling in the night,
His eyes are like that twinkly and bright,
I feel a tap on my back tickly and light….
I turn round and look with fright.

I see him;
He’s perfect, I’m going to faint
He’s wonderful, everything’s great.

He whispers, “do you wanna come to my house?”
I just stand there as quiet as a mouse

HE LOVES ME!

Although academically extremely bright, Becky wasn’t naturally good at sport or music but, having an older sister who excelled at both, she was always willing to try anything and give it her best shot! Her favourite pastime was attending a weekly drama class, which she absolutely adored. Becky loved to participate and be involved with others and always gave her best at everything she tried – be it at work or play! How we miss seeing the way she would have developed into adulthood.

She saw a lot of the world in her short time on earth – Italy, USA, Greece, Barbados, France and more. She absorbed cultural details. She was a hard and diligent worker at her schools and would undoubtedly have shone at university.

Becky’s inquest was held some five months after her death. We had no idea what to expect and found the experience very daunting. During the proceedings it became clear that up until that day, the Coroner’s knowledge of SUDEP had been extremely limited, to say the least.  We got through the day with invaluable support from Epilepsy Bereaved. We are willing to share our experiences of the inquest, via Epilepsy Bereaved, if this could help anyone in a similar situation.

We are striving to ensure that Becky’s death was not in vain. Initially we worked with the local NHS Trust to improve the system for children with suspected epilepsy. More recently our efforts have been directed towards supporting the Education & Awareness programme at Epilepsy Bereaved which promotes awareness of the ways to reduce epilepsy deaths. Roger has subsequently been appointed to the Charity’s “Planning and Development” committee and, in late 2009, was appointed to the Epilepsy Bereaved “Board of Trustees”.

We have been invited to talk about our experience to pharmaceutical reps from a company who manufacture anti–seizure medication. We have also spoken on local television and national radio programmes to highlight the importance of diagnosing epilepsy and raising awareness of SUDEP. We raise funds for Epilepsy Bereaved in Becky’s memory when opportunities arise and have hosted a particularly enjoyable and financially successful Barn Dance and a lively ‘70s band evening amongst many activities. Becky’s older sister Lauren has run a series of very popular “fete and farm experience” days in her sibling’s memory.

Our beautiful Becky is no longer with us – but her memory always will be.

Sandie & Roger Scrivens
December 2009

• 
• 
•