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In February 2003 while getting my three-year-old daughter Courtney ready for bed she suddenly went limp, floppy and unresponsive. I thought she was playing but after a few minutes she had white bubbles lining her mouth. My panic instinct took over and I rang the doctor. He said it was some kind of a seizure and not to worry. But a few days later on the way home in the car it happened again and she slumped over the handbrake. The accident and emergency doctor confirmed it was a seizure and discharged her into the care of a paediatrician.

While waiting for an appointment Courtney kept on having these strange episodes. The longest took place last November when she worried ambulance men so much that we had a very fast journey to hospital. Courtney's seizure lasted for 90 minutes and she did not flinch when glucose tests and a venflon were put into her hand. During other incidents she has slumped into a hot dinner almost suffocating, fallen down the stairs and not cried or been responsive, and she has walked into walls. She has no response to pain or anything else during the seizures. The most worrying thing is that she is at risk of harming herself.

These attacks show the same pattern. Speech is the first thing to go and last to return and if standing she rocks. She does not shake or go rigid, she is unaware of her surroundings and on one occasion her skin went pale gray. One doctor detected eye movements, but nobody else has. The seizures usually last more than 10 minutes. On occasions her attacks are daily, sometimes numerous, and with no warning.

Tests at hospital have revealed little, but we have had some support. The occupational therapists have been fantastic and arranged a much-needed buggy and car seat to support Courtney and keep her safe. Initially her play school arranged a one-to-one support worker for Courtney.


The paediatrician told us she was displaying self-gratification behaviour. We were told that boys masturbated and Courtney had seizures; daydreaming was another phrase they used. We do not accept this as an explanation and are awaiting a second opinion. The help she received at play school has now been withdrawn despite my having to be within three minutes of her at all times.

These attacks totally exhaust Courtney and we shadow her constantly as they have already had serious consequences. Until we get an answer we are totally in the dark. We have been criticised for searching for information on the internet about this and have been labelled paranoid. We are told this is normal behaviour for a child although it baffles everyone who witnesses these attacks. Courtney has tantrums like every other three year old but these are not tantrums. She has my undivided attention. Although not life-threatening in themselves these attacks of "day-dreaming" hold serious consequences for Courtney.

Mel Rawding is the mother of three children with special needs.