![\"Sophie](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/0_SVR_NEC_1901026_SophieGilmourIvens2.jpg\")
<\/p>\nMatilda Burton, 13, and mum Sally said nurse Sophie Gilmour-Ivens had provided life-changing support<\/p>\n
Sophie Gilmour-Ivens is a senior paediatric nurse specialist(Image: Mirror \/ NHS)<\/p>\n
A North Shields <\/a>teenager and her mum paid tribute to a nurse after she provided life-changing support following an epilepsy diagnosis. Matilda Burton, 13, was diagnosed with the condition, to her family’s shock, in 2022.<\/p>\n Shortly afterwards, she and her family were introduced to Sophie Gilmour-Ivens. Sophie is a senior paediatric specialist nurse who has helped them to navigate the uncertainty that follows such a diagnosis – and to as far as possible enjoy activities such as going out with friends or even school trips without worrying about the impact of epilepsy.<\/p>\n Matilda’s mum Sally explained how overwhelming the diagnosis had been. She said: “It was a massive worry. We didn’t know what this would mean for Matilda or how we would adapt as a family.”<\/p>\n But nurse Sophie soon stepped in. Sally added: “She put me at ease straight away. I felt like I could ask her anything, at any time. Knowing she was there was a huge help. Sophie always spoke directly to Matilda and included her in conversations about her care.<\/p>\n “As a parent, that’s so important. A lot of healthcare professionals would naturally direct the conversation towards me, but Sophie made sure Matilda’s voice was heard.”<\/p>\n As Matilda has grown up, the question of how to balance gaining more independence with her epilepsy has become a serious issue – but Sophie has helped the family to navigate this. Mum Sally said: “We worried about what would happen if she had a seizure while she was out with friends. It was difficult not to think about the worst-case scenarios.”<\/p>\n And speaking about the family’s fears when Matilda had the chance to go on a school trip to France, she added: “I was worried that if something happened, the teachers and people around Matilda wouldn’t know how to help her.”<\/p>\n But Sophie stepped in on multiple occasions – organising epilepsy awareness and seizure response training for Matilda’s friends in the first instance, and working to ensure staff and teachers on the France trip were appropriately trained, too.<\/p>\n Matilda said: “It made me feel much more relaxed. I could go out and do the things my friends were doing without worrying so much. Knowing they understood what to do made a huge difference.”<\/p>\n Sally, a nurse herself, added: “She has been there through every stage. Not only has she helped Matilda live her life with confidence, but she has helped our whole family cope with the challenges that come with an epilepsy diagnosis.<\/p>\n “Sophie didn’t just support us medically. She gave us reassurance, confidence and hope. She helped us see what was possible, rather than focusing on what might go wrong.”<\/p>\n Sophie added: “When a young person is diagnosed with epilepsy, we’re not just supporting them medically, we’re supporting their whole family as they adjust to a new reality. Matilda and her family have shown incredible strength throughout that journey and it’s been a privilege to be part of it.<\/p>\n “Through our Lifelong Care<\/a> strategy, we’re committed to providing personalised care that supports people at every stage of their life. For me, that means taking the time to understand what’s important to each family and helping young people like Matilda build the confidence and independence to live their lives to the fullest.”<\/p>\n Get more ChronicleLive news on Google. Make ChronicleLive a preferred source to see more of our breaking news, exclusives and biggest North East stories. It only takes a moment – click here<\/a> to do it now.<\/p>\n