MOUNT Gambier epilepsy advocate Katherine Height has been awarded a top carers award at the South Australian Community Achievement Awards.
Ms Height won the Carers SA Carer Achievement Award for her efforts in providing long-term care for her daughter Ella Gray, as well as working to improve the recognition, services and support for others.
The youngster has lived with GLUT1 deficiency syndrome her entire life.
The rare genetic disorder affects the nervous system, with Ella developing symptoms in the first few months of life, including seizures.
In 2014, Ms Height launched Ella’s Purple Promise to raise money, education and advocate for epilepsy awareness.
Since then, Ms Height has raised $10,000 for the South Australian-based Epilepsy Centre and aims to raise funds to bring professionals to Mount Gambier to train educators.
However, Ms Height said she was lost for words after being announced as the award winner last week.
“When I first got an email saying I had been nominated, I thought it was awesome, but did not think much of it,” she said.
“Then I received another email that said I had been selected as a semi-finalist and I just thought it would be a nice night out.
“My name was announced as the winner and I could not believe it, I was just in shock.”
According to audience member and independent parliamentarian Troy Bell, Ms Height’s shock subsided as she took the stage and delivered “one of the best speeches I have ever heard”.
“I was very proud to be in the audience as Katherine accepted this well-deserved award,” he said.
“One of the best parts of my job is supporting highly motivated people in our community, like Katherine, who are advocates for change.
“Katherine’s main motivation comes from her daughter Ella, but her ongoing work in this area positively impacts the more than 61,000 people living with epilepsy in South Australia.
“Currently, South Australia is one of two states that does not provide funding for epilepsy centres and Katherine has fought hard to bring this issue to light.
“Through Ella’s Purple Promise, Katherine tirelessly fund-raised, educated and advocated for greater public awareness.
“Katherine is proof big things can be achieved with hard work, determination and persistence.
“I will continue to support Katherine on her campaign to raise awareness with the State Government and deliver a better outcome for the 61,000 South Australians living with epilepsy.”
The Epilepsy Centre is the peak body for people living with epilepsy, but receives no government funding and is largely funded privately.
Ms Height said she would continue to lobby the State Government to contribute $240,000 to the centre to employ four nurses and provide support to those with epilepsy.
“The goal is to get State Government funding, because South Australia and the Northern Territory do not fund epilepsy,” she said.
“In the meantime, I’ll keep aiming to bring people to Mount Gambier and educate us in the South East about the condition.”
Epilepsy Australia president Robyn Wakefield praised Ms Height’s contribution to The Epilepsy Centre, saying her fundraising and campaigning were integral to individuals and families battling the condition.
“I have known Kat for many years and she is someone I consider a hard working single mum for most of that time, yet she still has the time to raise community awareness and advocate for epilepsy,” she said.
“In all the work she does, there is nothing for her except to make sure no one else has to go through what she has gone through.
“Earlier this year, Ms Height was awarded an International Bureau of Epilepsy Golden Light Award for her outstanding work raising funds and awareness through her Ella’s Purple Promise initiative.
“In addition to being internationally acclaimed for her advocacy and empathy as a carer and a golden light, she is now formally recognised at a state level.
“These awards are huge achievements and she is one of the most deserving people to receive them.”
