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Sarah’s hair-raising charity challenge
Jan 16 2009 by Ronnie Parry, Flintshire Chronicle
Sarah’s hair-raising charity challenge
A WOMAN with epilepsy is having her head shaved in a charity stunt just days before she undergoes major brain surgery.
Sarah Stringfellow, 31, of Dyfed Drive, Queensferry, had a pre-operative test this week.
She will undergo a frontal lobe ectomy to relieve the epilepsy affecting the left side of her brain on Monday, January 26.
Surgeons at the Walton Neurological Centre will perform a nine-hour operation to remove damaged cells from the part of the brain controlling speech and memory.
It is a risky operation but one which has a 70% success rate.
But before then Sarah will be thinking of other epilepsy sufferers.
Her head shave, at the Ferry Hotel, Queensferry, tomorrow (Saturday) will raise money for the Wrexham and Deeside Epilepsy Support Group and Epilepsy Wales.
Sarah said: “I should be epilepsy-free for five years after this operation. For someone who was diagnosed as an epileptic 21 years ago it’s a huge opportunity. Epilepsy is awful.
“It’s so unpredictable, anything can trigger it. My self-esteem was ruined because of it.
“At school I was bullied, verbally, emotionally and physically. I’ve never been able to work despite many interviews.”
Despite knock-backs Sarah has done voluntary work for St John Ambulance and for three years she’s been a member of the local Epilepsy Support Group.
“The group’s been really supportive,” added Sarah. “Another group member had a similar operation. After the operation I want to study for an NVQ in counselling and help people with depression, diabetes or epilepsy.”
To sponsor Sarah’s head shave, call 01978 312325 or email weabradbury@btconnect.com.
The Deeside Epilepsy Support Group meets from 10am-noon on the second and fourth Wednesday of each month at Quaystone Chapel, High Street, Connah’s Quay.
