Learning Outcomes:
• Increased knowledge of epilepsy.
• Introduction to some associated conditions.
• Increased awareness of learning disability.
• Always expect the unexpected.
Context:: Inadvertent entry into the criminal justice system as a result of behaviour associated with seizure activity.
Content Summary: I start with a general introduction to epilepsy the condition. I show short video clips of seizure activity and behaviour that may be misinterpreted. I illustrate with case studies. There is a section on LD and the impact on the individual and those eg the police who may be in first contact with the individual. I use a couple of exercises to demonstrate LD. I give a list of questions the police should ask; looking beyond what they have seen or what has been reported to them. I finish with a clip and ask the audience to decide if the person is experiencing a seizure or not.
Lesslie is a member of the Institute of Directors and the West of Scotland Vistage Group for CEOs. She also is a non-executive director on the Executive Board of COPFS.
Lesslie joined Epilepsy Scotland's training department in 2006. She was appointed Chief Executive in 2009. During her tenure Lesslie introduced a new business model enabling the private, public and third sector to work together to provide a service for people with epilepsy in an area where none existed. The introduction of this model resulted in her nomination for Third Sector Director of the Year by the IoD.
A particular interest of Lesslie’s is the inadvertent entry of people with epilepsy into the criminal justice system. Certain seizure activity can result in behaviour which can be perceived as criminal in nature; the repercussions of this can have a hugely detrimental impact on the individual. Lesslie has developed a close working relationship with the Judicial Studies Institute, COPFS and Police Scotland. She sits on the Criminal Justice Disability Advisory Group and presents annually at Dame Elish Angiolini’s LLM Advocacy course.
Lesslie qualified as a general nurse in 1976 and a midwife in 1978. She was a Charge Nurse for ten years.