FITS AND STARTS:

A Memoir of Living with Epilepsy

In 1992 Franziska Thomas had her first seizure and her whole world was turned upside down - literally…

Read by Tracy Wiles and Franziska Thomas

A searingly honest and thought-provoking memoir, Fits and Starts offers an unvarnished glimpse into a syndrome shrouded in secrecy and laden with stigma. Alternately stubborn and mischievous, down trodden and determined, Franziska remains ever hopeful despite the constant set backs and instinctively refuses to conform to the role the outside world has chosen for her. With candour and humour, she describes her daily challenges of fits, injuries and memory loss, and charts her own coming of age as an epileptic, as a teacher and, ultimately, as a mother.

Narrated by Tracy Wiles and featuring sound design and original title song by Stephanie MacGaraidh, the audiobook also includes several ‘Stream of Unconsciousness’ passages read by Franziska herself , giving listeners a direct and deeply moving window into Franziska’s experience during and after a seizure.

Available on audiobook platforms or via charities Royal National Institute of the Blind and Listening Books for people with sight impairments or other health issues affecting their ability to read the printed word.

About the book: Fits & Starts has sold thousands of copies making it one of the best-selling books about living with epilepsy. Any questions you have about epilepsy, either as an epileptic or someone who knows and loves an epilepsy sufferer, could be answered here.

About the author: Franziska has previously worked as a journalist and History teacher. She is currently working as an author and Fundraising Manager for a UK and Nepal based charity. She lives in London with her husband Tim, their children Oskar and Kurt and two misbehaving Maine Coons.