Kingscliff singer-songwriter, epilepsy sufferer Mardi Wilson opens up on upsetting episode

A Tweed singer-songwriter with epilepsy has been left feeling disheartened after being ignored and barked at by bystanders during a seizure episode outside a supermarket.

Kingscliff singer-songwriter Mardi Wilson has opened up about an upsetting encounter she had while suffering a severe seizure in public. Picture: Facebook.

A talented Tweed singer-songwriter and severe epilepsy sufferer has been left feeling disheartened after being ignored and barked at by bystanders during a seizure episode outside a supermarket.

Kingscliff resident Mardi Wilson, 29, a well-known musician in the area, took to social media to shed light on her horrific ordeal. She “wanted to do this post” and went public “to raise some awareness”.

“I have just been diagnosed with severe epilepsy which causes me to have up to 15 seizures a day, despite being medicated for the condition,” she told popular Facebook group Kingscliff Happenings.

“When I have one of my seizures, they often come out of the blue and can last for up to two minutes. If I’m in public, I usually have enough time to stop and sit myself down when I feel one coming on.

Ms Wilson told her followers her condition had sidelined her from playing gigs in recent months. Picture: Facebook.

“Yesterday (September 12) I started having a seizure in the alleyway behind the pub leading to Woolies. So I sat/layed myself down (sic) and did my best to indicate that I was having a medical event.

“Several people walked past me and ignored me, including one man on a bike who raised his voice at me to move.

“When I’m having these events, 90 per cent of the time I become non-verbal, so I couldn’t communicate what was happening.

“I have had multiple of these events happen recently have not had anyone offer me any form of assistance.”

The musician, originally from Brisbane, wrote she “understood laying or sitting down in an alleyway is not convenient”.

However, she urged the public “to think about why I may be in this position, instead of walking past and ignoring the situation or yelling at me”.

She has up to 15 seizures a day. Picture: Facebook.

“This really adds a level of distress to an event that I already find very embarrassing and overwhelming,” she wrote.

“I love Kingscliff, and now more than ever appreciate living here, as it is easy for me to get around and have my independence without being able to drive.

“The community is so amazing and this is why I wanted to make this post. I know there are many people here who will be willing to keep this information in mind moving forward.”

In May, Ms Wilson opened up about her worsening condition in a heartfelt video.

“You’ve probably noticed that I haven’t played a gig in a long while. My health has taken a knock,” she said.

“It feels like a bit of a guessing game right now as to why I’m having these seizures. It’s why I haven’t been playing gigs but that being said I always want to keep playing music.”

“This is not what I expected I’d be doing at 29 but I’m so grateful for my family and friends for supporting me and making sure I’m OK.”

It is estimated that over 250,000 Australians are living with epilepsy and approximately three per cent of Australians will experience epilepsy at some point in their lives.

Ms Wilson has been contacted for comment.

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Originally published as Kingscliff singer-songwriter, epilepsy sufferer Mardi Wilson opens up on upsetting episode