Stockton teenager raises awareness for 'invisible' illnesses

An 18 year old from Stockton is campaigning with national charity Fixers to raise awareness for 'invisible illnesses'.

Tom Bell has had epilepsy since birth, and has to take medication twice a day and three times during the night. His condition means that he could have a seizure at any time.

Tom told TFM that he's been bullied by people: "They think it's funny that I have epilepsy, and that it's funny to shine a light in my face. They say 'it's only epilepsy', but it's not like that because it's a very bad illness that affects many people".

Fixers have helped over 20,000 young people (aged 16-25) across the UK with projects and campaigns on issues that affect them. They've produced a Fixers profile on Tom, with the aim to "encourage people to show more respect to individuals with invisible illnesses".

Tom went on to say that he's determined to change people's attitudes: "As a kid in school I was bullied, and I don't want anyone else to go through this pain. Fixers have been extremely helpful: they've contacted schools, got the media to contact me and have helped me with a poster about invisible illnesses. I can't thank them enough".

Tom says he wants to keep on campaigning: "Hopefully I'll be going into schools to raise awareness. Anything more that happens is a bonus: I'm happy with what I'm doing already".