Hiking Scafell Pike - In Honour of Terry Dalgliesh

Hiking the highest mountain in England in honour of Terry Dalgliesh for SUDEP Action Charity (Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy)

I write this leading up to the 1 year anniversary of the death of my big brother Terry Dalgliesh aged just 35 years old from Penge SE20, who died suddenly and unexpectedly due to Epilepsy on 3rd February 2023.

Terry was such a proud young man who found it hard to admit he had a life changing condition since being diagnosed with Epilepsy after his first generalised tonic- clonic seizure at age 15 years old. There were never signs or symptoms prior to this seizure, and unfortunately, Terry never lived a seizure free life since that day. He went on to trial different treatments with many failed attempts to keep his seizures under control.

Terry rarely, if ever, spoke about his epilepsy and many people surrounding him wouldn’t have known too much or just how severe it really was. He suffered some pretty horrific and frightening incidences, many falls that left him with cuts, bumps, bruises and fractures, multiple seizures one after the after, 3rd degree burns requiring plastic surgery and numerous hospital trips -just to name a few.

As a family, we can take some comfort that Terry lived his life the way he wanted to and never let Epilepsy define him. Terry took fitness and healthy eating seriously and always liked to look after himself while enjoying the simple things life has to offer, always in the present moment, happy, joyful and joking with the most infectious laugh, and always finding the funny side of things. A big kid who never grew up, as my mum calls him - her Peter Pan.

Friday 3rd February 2023 - Terry woke up as usual nothing out of the ordinary. I called my mum and asked her if she wanted to come shopping, she said see you in a little while to Terry before shortly returning back home after a few hours shopping. After dropping my mum off I drove the 5mins back home and sat down to sew my sons Tudor costume for school when I got the call. The call that will forever be burned into my brain and completely turned my world upside down, the call that dropped me to my knees with the sound of my mothers voice as she cries down the phone “It’s Terry, he’s gone. He’s gone”. That day I held my brothers cold hand in complete and utter shock, confusion and devastation. Terry had passed away at home in his bedroom due to an epileptic seizure.

Terry leaves behind a completely broken family, as we try to come to terms with our loss, along with his two children Millie and Max now aged 2 and 1 years old.

In July 2024 I will be joined by family and friends as we climb the highest mountain in England, Scafell Pike - Lake District. Taking in breathtaking sights that I know Terry would have loved to see and experience, while raising much needed awareness and funds for a charity dear to my heart, the SUDEP Action Charity.

If you’ve got this far reading, thank you. Thank you for taking the time to read this snippet of Terry’s story and our first time hearing the word SUDEP.

Every share, or even just a penny donated helps to bring awareness not only for those who have sadly lost their lives too soon to Epilepsy, but to those who continue to suffer in silence and for the families who helplessly watch over, or have been affected by SUDEP.

More information about SUDEP Action: There are at least three epilepsy-related deaths a day in the UK. The majority are Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP). We care for the bereaved and work with families and professionals to make change. Using research and awareness, we strive to get the answers that will save lives.