All in all, this conversation has reminded us all how one small act of kindness can make all the difference to someone’s life. Which is, in today’s society of digital communication and disconnect, a beautiful philosophy to uphold.

How to help someone having an epileptic seizure

According to the Epileptic Society, the most important thing you can do when someone begins convulsing is to “stay calm”. Their list of tips on what to do next includes:

Look around - is the person in a dangerous place? If not, don’t move them. Move objects like furniture away from them.
Note the time the seizure starts.
Stay with them. If they don’t collapse but seem blank or confused, gently guide them away from any danger. Speak quietly and calmly.
Cushion their head with something soft if they have collapsed to the ground.
Don’t hold them down.
Don’t put anything in their mouth.
Check the time again. If a seizure doesn’t stop after 5 minutes, call for an ambulance (dial 999).
After the seizure has stopped, gently put them into the recovery position and check that their breathing is returning to normal. Gently check their mouth to see that nothing is blocking their airway such as food or false teeth. If their breathing sounds difficult after the seizure has stopped, call for an ambulance.
Stay with them until they are fully recovered.

They note that you should only call 999 if it is the person’s first seizure, they have injured themselves badly, they have trouble breathing after the seizure has stopped, one seizure immediately follows another with no recovery in between, the seizure lasts two minutes longer than is usual for them, or the seizure lasts for more than five minutes.

You can find out more here.

Image: Getty

Everyone needs to read this woman’s account of helping a stranger on the train