The family of a 16 year old Fermanagh schoolgirl, who suffered an epileptic fit as she was making her way home from school, are very thankful to the Good Samaritans who came to her aid.

Joanne McDonald, a pupil at St. Comhghall’s College, Lisnaskea, was walking along with her schoolfriend Shannon Montgomery on Friday evening, March 20, when she unexpectedly experienced a seizure.

Her father Michael McDonald explained that it was around 4.45pm. “She and her schoolfriend decided to visit her schoolfriend’s granddad’s grave in Lisnaskea,” he said, adding that “they were just on their way to the graveyard” and were “going up the hill” when “Joanne just said to her friend that she had a tingling sensation.” He continued: “Within seconds of saying that to her schoolfriend she went into a fit and collapsed. Shannon tried to grab her but the weight of the schoolbag pulled her down. She fell to the footpath.” The teenager, of Crom Road, Lisnaskea, who is doing her GCSEs this year, sustained cuts to her knees and head. She had facial cuts and broke her glasses, according to her father, who explained that she began to go into an epileptic fit for a minute or so.

“Her friend tried to look after Joanne and flag down some support,” indicated Michael, who pointed out there were just the two of them on the road at that time.

Michael admitted this week that he was “upset to learn that some people drove around them. Shannon said she was frantically trying to get help.” However, he said they are “thankful a couple of van drivers stopped. One of them administered first aid to Joanne because he had recently done a course at work. I would really like to reach out to him and thank him because I never got his name.” He added that another van driver stopped and gave Joanne his coat, while he acknowledged that “people from a nearby house provided her with blankets and a cushion while she was still in a recovery position.” He highlighted that once the episode is over it takes the person a “little while to regain consciousness” and to appreciate their surroundings and what has happened.

“She was there around 10 minutes when the ambulance arrived,” indicated Michael, who mentioned that Shannon called the ambulance. He felt Shannon had been in a difficult position “looking after Joanne’s welfare and summoning help.” He paid tribute to the 16 year old, whom he felt did very well and had been very mature.

He also extends praise to the ambulance service, which he said is located in Lisnaskea Business Park. “They were there very quickly,” he said.

Michael acknowledged: “Pat drives a little ambulance vehicle and it’s great to have that facility nearby; he came and attended to Joanne and then called for the ambulance to bring her in.” He continued that she went to South West Acute Hospital, where he said she was admitted for 48 hours “because of her head injury and to monitor if there were any other signs of epilepsy.” Michael mentions she has been referred but she “has not been formally diagnosed as epileptic. We are just waiting on a visit to the neurology department.” Joanne’s father points out this situation has just come on in a six months’ period. After she suffered her first epileptic fit in October, he said the family thought it was a ‘one-off,’ but then he said she had another one in February and two in March (one at the start of the month and then the most recent episode.) “It is worrying for her as well,” feels Michael, adding that it is one of those things they are going to have to get used to.

Along with his wife, Theresa, he said they are thankful to all those who helped their daughter, including Joanne’s schoolfriend Shannon.

Summing up, he extends thanks to the van driver, who administered first aid; the van driver, who gave her his work coat to keep her warm; the people in the nearby house; and Lisnaskea ambulance driver Pat who responded. “It was nice to see a friendly face for her,” believes Michael, whose daughter Joanne is the youngest of three.

Michael also thanks Joanne’s school, St. Comhghall’s: “The school has been very supportive of Joanne since this has come to light in the last few months; they are doing everything they can to support her.” He disclosed that he has also put a message up on Facebook “hoping that the people who responded will see it.

Take ACTION on fits Nearly nine out of ten people in Britain would get basic first aid for epileptic seizures wrong, according to findings by Epilepsy Action.

In 2011, it carried out a YouGov survey of more than 2,000 people and found that: 88 per cent would either actively do something wrong or would fail to take all of the right actions.

Almost a third (29 per cent) of people would actually do something dangerous when trying to help someone having a seizure.

Around a quarter (26 per cent) of respondents said that they would attempt to put something in someone’s mouth to stop them swallowing their tongue.

Others would fail to do the correct things, such as cushion the head (45 per cent) or look for an epilepsy ID card (65 per cent).

A representative explained that they also did a survey of more than 1,000 people with epilepsy, which found that 88 per cent worry about having a seizure in public.

Almost two thirds (64 per cent) said that they worried that people would not know what to do.

An ‘ACTION’ acronym* to help people remember what to do if they see someone have a tonic-clonic seizure has been developed by Epilepsy Action.

In reference to “ACTION - First aid for tonic-clonic seizures,” a spokeswoman notes: “The person goes stiff, loses consciousness, falls to the floor and begins to jerk or convulse. They may look a little blue around their mouth from irregular breathing. Tonic-clonic seizures can last a few minutes.” She said ‘Remember ACTION for tonic-clonic seizures’ - A - Assess: Assess the situation – are they in danger of injuring themselves? Remove any nearby objects that could cause injury.

C - Cushion: Cushion their head (with a jumper, for example) to protect them from head injury.

T - Time: Check the time – if the seizure lasts longer than five minutes you should call an ambulance.

I - Identity: Look for a medical bracelet or ID card – it may give you information about the person’s seizures and what to do.

O - Over: Once the seizure is over, put them on their side (in the recovery position). Stay with them and reassure them as they come round.

N - Never: Never restrain the person, put something in their mouth or try to give them food or drink.

Call an ambulance if: You know it is a person’s first seizure, or The seizure lasts for more than five minutes, or One seizure appears to follow another without the person gaining consciousness in between, or The person is injured, or You believe the person needs urgent medical attention.

Stacey Rennard, campaigns manager at Epilepsy Action, said: “It would make a huge difference to people with epilepsy if the general public could recognise different kinds of seizure and knew what to do to help. We want people to see that dealing with seizures is something that anyone can do and that everyone can learn.” The charity is giving away free wallet-sized ACTION cards carrying first aid information. Members of the public can order their cards by calling the Epilepsy Helpline on freephone 0808 800 5050.