The holidays that changed OUR LIVES

Three women look back on trips that turned out to be truly memorable

- RUTH ADDICOTT

'No one panicked, I realised it felt like home'

Galia Wilson, 53, lives in London with her husband Oli, 50, and their son, Arlo, 17, and daughter, Coco, 14.

My son Arlo was only two months old when he had his first seizure. It was Boxing Day 2007 and we rushed him to hospital, but we were sent home with a bottle of Calpol.

Then, at five months, he had another large seizure and was treated for epilepsy. The seizures could occur any time — in the park, at soft play, at the swimming pool - and last up to two hours. It was absolutely terrifying. Sometimes, there would be 18 people around the hospital bed trying to work on him.

To cope, I gave up my job in healthcare communications, but tried to live a normal life as possible. I walked around with a massive hospital bag, holding my breath, hoping that nothing would happen. Once, Arlo had a seizure on the Tube at King's Cross. They shut the Underground down and we had a police escort to the hospital.

We didn’t dare go on holiday. Arlo stopped getting invited to birthday parties and I didn’t get asked out for drinks with the other mums. A few friends stuck by me, but it was really isolating.

Then, aged three, Arlo was diagnosed with Dravet syndrome, a severe, life-limiting form of epilepsy. I didn’t know much about it, but there was a small charity that was organising a weekend away at Center Parcs in Sherwood Forest.

'I think we should go on it,' I said to Oli. Knowing that there would be other families there gave us courage.

When we arrived, Arlo had a seizure in the soft-play ball pool and everyone was calm; there was no panic. I thought, this feels like home. Everyone was so warm and open, offering advice — it was life-changing. We made really good friends and Arlo loved it.