Profiles

Here, you can find any of the interviews on this site.



Gene Feder OBE

Gene is Professor of Primary Health Care at Bristol University and a part-time GP.

  • Background

    Gene has held two National Institute of Health Research programme grants developing interventions to support women, men and children affected by domestic violence and abuse. Gene chaired the 2016 NICE...

  • Nicki Norman

    Nicki Norman is Director of Services at Women's Aid.

  • Background

    Nicki has over 20 years direct experience with providing, managing and developing local domestic violence services in a range of settings. Nicki oversees the delivery and development of Women’s Aid’s...

  • Anne Y

    Anne was not clear why she started with epilepsy around the time of her menopause. She used to have migraines but these stopped when she started having seizures. She regards the seizures as an inconvenience, and her asthma (diagnosed a few years later) just an irritation.

  • Background

    Anne is married with three grown-up children and is retired. Ethnic Background: English.

  • Age at interview 61
  • Sex/Gender Female
  • Tony

    Being diagnosed with epilepsy was a shock for Tony when he was in his 30s and it took 2 years to get the medication righ. Although he doesn't have seizures, the drugs leave him feeling wiped out He also has asthma but doesn't see it as a problem.

  • Background

    Tony is an IT business analyst and married with two grown-up children. Ethnic Background: White British.

  • Age at interview 51
  • Sex/Gender Male
  • Lottie

    Lottie was hospitalised following an epileptic seizure when aged 15. She has tried 9 epilepsy medicines, none of which have worked and her suitability for surgery is being assessed. She also has diabetes type 1 and depression and has tried to commit suicide.

  • Background

    Lottie is married with one child aged 8. She used to work as a personal assistant but is currently unemployed due to ill health. Ethnic Background: White.

  • Age at interview 37
  • Sex/Gender Female
  • Michael Y and Pauline

    Michael was diagnosed with his health conditions in childhood and believes he was born with them. His main problem is epilepsy which is poorly controlled and his medicines makes him feel in danger of falling. He also has a lung condition (bronchiectasis).

  • Background

    Michael is married with two grown-up children. He is a retired IT project manager. Michael tires easily so his wife Pauline speaks for much of the interview. Ethnic Background: White.

  • Age at interview 70
  • Anne X

    Anne's health problems began with atrial fibrillation in her late fifties. By 70 she was taking warfarin and had a pacemaker fitted. She also has Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and psoriatic arthritis, and links most of her conditions to stress.

  • Background

    Anne is married with three grown-up children and is retired. Ethnic Background: White.

  • Age at interview 79
  • Sex/Gender Female
  • Loraine

    Loraine was born prematurely and began epileptic seizures at 5 months old. This triggered static neurological deficit, causing vision and hearing impairments, irregular heartbeat and cerebral palsy. She later developed asthma and long-term use of anti-epileptic drugs led to anaemia and bone loss.

  • Background

    Loraine lives with her husband and does voluntary/charity work. Ethnic Background: White British.

  • Age at interview 56
  • Sex/Gender Female
  • Fiona

    Fiona has asthma, type 1 diabetes and epilepsy. Her asthma is well controlled with inhalers. She has good and bad days with her diabetes. Drugs have stopped her epileptic seizures, although she has become forgetful.

  • Background

    Fiona is married and pregnant with her first child. She is a student and part-time proof reader and copyrighter. Ethnic Background: White British.

  • Age at interview 25
  • Sex/Gender Female
  • Barry

    At age 51 Barry had a stroke that affected his speech, hearing, reading and writing but he remained mobile. Eight years later he was diagnosed with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). He also has a condition of the adrenal glands.

  • Background

    Barry is married with one adult child. He is a retired bricklayer and education welfare officer. Ethnic Background: White English.

  • Age at interview 67