Nine-year-old Pembrokeshire girl wins the heart of the nation after saving her mother from near-fatal seizure
A nine-year-old girl from Pembrokeshire has won the heart of the nation this week after winning an Epilepsy Star Award for saving her mother from a near-fatal seizure.
When little Gwen Harries discovered that her mother, Imogen, had suffered a seizure at their home in Pembrokeshire, she wasted no time in dialling 999 and calling the emergency services.
"Gwen is one incredible little girl," said Imogen.
"For her age, her understanding of epilepsy is remarkable. Gwen saved my life when I happened to have a seizure at home, and when the officers came in, they had to get through the window as the door was on a chain. And Gwen told them, 'Be careful! Don't break my mum's blinds!'
"But she was really calm throughout the incident. She has so much kindness in her heart and will help anyone.
"Gwen, I'm so proud of all you've achieved in the nine years that you've walked this earth. I love you to affinity."
But this wasn't the first time that Gwen has helped her mother following a seizure. It previously happened at Gwen's school when the child called her father, whilst timing and counting her mother's seizures.
When Imogen was diagnosed with epilepsy in 2022, she taught Gwen and her brother, Reuben what to do whenever a seizure occurred.
"My epilepsy journey has been very emotional and I still get overwhelmed whenever I think about it," added Imogen.
"But we sat down with the children and were honest with them and explained what epilepsy meant, how I would tell them if I was about to have a seizure or what to do if I wasn't aware I was going to have one."
Meanwhile the deputy chief executive of Epilepsy Action, Rebekah Smith, has described Gwen's actions as 'truly inspirational'.
"Her knowledge of epilepsy is incredible and truly inspiring," she said, "and I'm sure people will feel inspired by her to learn more about the condition and how they can look out for others."
For expert advice on epilepsy, call the charity's freephone helpline on 0808 8005050.
Nine-year-old Pembrokeshire girl wins the heart of the nation after saving her mother from near-fatal seizure
A nine-year-old girl from Pembrokeshire has won the heart of the nation this week after winning an Epilepsy Star Award for saving her mother from a near-fatal seizure.
When little Gwen Harries discovered that her mother, Imogen, had suffered a seizure at their home in Pembrokeshire, she wasted no time in dialling 999 and calling the emergency services.
"Gwen is one incredible little girl," said Imogen.
"For her age, her understanding of epilepsy is remarkable. Gwen saved my life when I happened to have a seizure at home, and when the officers came in, they had to get through the window as the door was on a chain. And Gwen told them, 'Be careful! Don't break my mum's blinds!'
"But she was really calm throughout the incident. She has so much kindness in her heart and will help anyone.
"Gwen, I'm so proud of all you've achieved in the nine years that you've walked this earth. I love you to affinity."
But this wasn't the first time that Gwen has helped her mother following a seizure. It previously happened at Gwen's school when the child called her father, whilst timing and counting her mother's seizures.
When Imogen was diagnosed with epilepsy in 2022, she taught Gwen and her brother, Reuben what to do whenever a seizure occurred.
"My epilepsy journey has been very emotional and I still get overwhelmed whenever I think about it," added Imogen.
"But we sat down with the children and were honest with them and explained what epilepsy meant, how I would tell them if I was about to have a seizure or what to do if I wasn't aware I was going to have one."
Meanwhile the deputy chief executive of Epilepsy Action, Rebekah Smith, has described Gwen's actions as 'truly inspirational'.
"Her knowledge of epilepsy is incredible and truly inspiring," she said, "and I'm sure people will feel inspired by her to learn more about the condition and how they can look out for others."
For expert advice on epilepsy, call the charity's freephone helpline on 0808 8005050.