Joe Cozens“You can never forgive yourself.”
The 25 -year -old Tomas Cozens is one of the about 20,000 people, which was left disabled at birth by epilepsy drugs which were given to pregnant women.
Despite evidence of dating back in 1970s Sodium valproateUsed to control the seizures, his unborn can damage the child, her mummy, who, was never told from Carfili, and withdrew from patients in Britain.
Five years after the publishing the CairoL. Report, it was concluded that the UK government should pay compensation to the affected people, said that they are still considering its conclusions while the victims are still waiting for the reply.
Which first saw that he was different with Tomas when he failed to meet a few milestones.
He was later diagnosed with high -working autism between other physical and neurological disability.
But it was not until 2014 when Joe’s father attracted his attention on an article how another child was impressed by sodium wallproat that he attracted the connection.
Shortly thereafter, Tomas was diagnosed with Valproate developmental effects in Australia after coming into contact with Valproit in the womb.
“It was like a two -holding sword,” Joe said.
“It was good to have some form of a label on it and someone finally accepted it, but then it really bothers me from the core.
“I felt as if I am going to creep in a ball and just never stop crying.”
Joe started learning about other families who were impressed and started campaigning to take accountability for the UK government, saying that he and thousands of other mothers have responded to, so that they can be free from the crime they feel.
“You know, you can never forgive yourself. Because the drug taken by you has damaged your child,” he said.
For Tomas, his disability has resulted in various surgery, while he is struggling socially and mentally.
He said: “Any kind of public response will not be sufficient for loss.
“I have not received any financial assistance at all for the problems getting bigger and still for my future, there is absolutely nothing.
“I have to struggle, I have to try to earn, to try to learn. Even though I am a little slow, maybe very slow.”
Busky smartFrom Bridgend to Beci Smart, is another mother, who was not warned about the risks of sodium valproate.
He had already lost two children while taking epilepsy medicine Topiramat And when his son Zak was born, he was told that he had sepsis, but later it appeared as a Valesprow withdrawal, which passed through the placenta.
She said that she is still rejecting by doctors.
“I can go to the doctor and sit with me and he can reduce the pain – physically, emotionally, mentally,” he said.
“All the doctors will sit there,” Well you took sodium valiproate, what do you want to do ‘? “
17, Zak, is Autism spectrum disorderWith social anxiety, Global developmental delayAnd social and communication disorders.
He struggles to face school and sometimes has suicidal views.
Becky provided round-the-lock care for him, which he said that his ability to earn and progress in his career had been affected.
But for that, accountability is more important than compensation.
“Somebody has to hold their hands and say that we take responsibility for this,” he said.
“Nobody is doing this at all times, we are living with that crime as a parents – and it is foolish because it is not a crime to live with us.”
Since the harmful effects of sodium valproate were revealed, new measures have been taken to reduce the risks that include unborn children, including:
- Ensuring women of delivery ability is at a reliable form of contraception
- Annual review with a specialist is to ensure that they are on contraceptive and sodium valiproate is still the best drug for them and is signing a risk acknowledgment form
- The drug is not being prescribed without two experts, no other drug is better for them to sign a risk acknowledgment form.
- Discussing the risks of pregnancy during medicine and a notice sheet
Busky smartDespite the issues that emerged, sodium valproate is still an effective anti-jabran drug for many people with epilepsy.
Consultant neurologist Owen Picrel said it was now used as a final measure, but for the minority number of patients, it was still the best option.
“Other seizure drugs do not work for some people,” he said.
“Valproate can help them and it enables them to have better quality of life.”
He warned people to always consult a doctor before the drug comes in any way, however, however, rare, “people may get serious injuries during seizures and people also die”.
The Department of Health and Social Care said: “Our sympathy is with the affected people and we are completely focusing on how to support patients and prevent future losses.
“It is a complex area of work and the government is considering the recommendations of the patient safety commissioner completely and we are committed to providing an update.”
