Girl was seen 'grinding teeth' while at beach - minutes later she was in coma
A teenage girl was enjoying a beach day with her family when she suddenly fell into a seizure her mum watched in horror when she began grinding her teeth.
Eva Tucker, 14, was airlifted to a hospital in Spain where she spent the next three weeks in a coma before being transferred back home for further treatment at the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital. It is believed that Eva suffered over 100 seizures during this ordeal.
Eva had her first seizure when she was just five and a half months old. Following this, she was referred to Great Ormond Street Hospital for tests which revealed that she suffers from GEFS+ - genetic epilepsy with febrile seizures. This rare syndrome is often associated with high temperatures.
Eva's father, Mark Tucker, from Bolton, said that his daughter's condition has led to her being admitted to intensive care three times. The most recent seizure resulted in a prolonged hospital stay spanning several months.
Eva was diagnosed with a form of epilepsy when she was a baby (Mark Tucker/MEN Media)
Dad Mark had fundraised for charities supporting those affected like Eva (Mark Tucker/MEN Media)Mark is now advocating for increased awareness and research surrounding epilepsy. This neurological disorder is estimated to affect one in every 100 people, with around 600,000 individuals living with the condition in the UK.
Woman who appears constantly 'drunk' says condition has 'destroyed' her life
Recalling the first time Eva had a seizure, Mark told the Manchester Evening News, "When Eva was five and a half months she had her first seizure but we had no idea what it was. Her mum was feeding her in her high chair and suddenly it just started. Then she was getting them every six weeks or so. She'd often get ear infections, and then the seizures would follow.
"She has had some really awful times. We were living in Holland but had to come back to England to be around our friends and family and English-speaking doctors. Once she developed chicken pox and that, mixed with a seizure, nearly finished her off which was horrendous," Mark recounted.
Over the years, Eva's condition had been somewhat stabilised through various medications. However, as she grows older and following a recent incident, her treatment plan needs reassessment.
The latest episode occurred while Eva was on a beach holiday with her mum and elder sister. "She was playing on the beach and she had a really bad bout of seizures, we think over 100," Mark said. "Her mum spotted her grinding her teeth and her head went stiff."
In response to the emergency, Eva was airlifted to a hospital. Three weeks later, she was flown back to England via a private jet. Currently, she is on four different medications daily to prevent any seizures. The family's ordeal has also deeply affected Eva's elder sister, who had to witness her sibling's distressing seizure. Mark said: "She was on a beach in Spain and didn't know if she was going to see her sister again."
"She has a substantial amount of brain damage and doctors think she has regular epilepsy as well so the seizures can happen at any time, we just don't know," Mark added. He described her as "the sweetest, most lovely child. She is such a mischievous and friendly, loving girl,".
Since his daughter's diagnosis, Mark has taken on numerous challenges to raise funds for charities that have supported Eva throughout her journey. His latest feat was an Ultra Marathon around Lake Windemere in the scenic Lake District, all in aid of Young Epilepsy. A JustGiving page set up for the cause has already hit over £6,000 in donations.
Mark expressed his concern about the lack of awareness surrounding epilepsy, saying, "I feel that epilepsy doesn't have the awareness it deserves. A lot of people have it and I think if I can help other kids going through what Eva has then why the hell not?"
Witnessing someone having a seizure is a horrific experience, according to Mark. "It doesn't get any easier for me and her mum but you just learn to deal with it and get on the best you can."
Click here to visit the family's fundraising page.
Grateful family of boy with epilepsy meet mum who helped get him vital treatment
* This article was crafted with the help of an AI tool, which speeds up The Mirror's editorial research. An editor reviewed this content before it was published. You can report any errors to [email protected]
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