Epilepsy ambassador fights for awareness
Abbey Cullen.
Author | Carmelle Wilkinson
Five years ago, Abbey Cullen was settling in for a quiet evening at home, when she started to hallucinate.
The Curtin journalism graduate and Triple M Goldfields announcer was chatting with her younger stepbrother in his room, when she thought she saw someone outside his window.
“Jack assured me there was no one there and when I glanced up and looked at the bedroom light, I lost my balance and fell onto the bookshelf,’’ she said.
“My entire body then started to shake, and my eyes rolled back.”
At 19, Abbey had just experienced her first seizure.
Renowned for playing practical jokes, Abbey said when Jack first called out to their mum for help, she assumed it was a prank.
“Mum was watching dirty dancing in the living room and at first didn’t believe it, until Jack screamed ‘it’s serious’,’’ she said.
“Strangely enough, mum had just completed seizure first aid training for her work that week, so knew exactly what to do.”
According to her family, Abbey lost consciousness for close to 30 minutes.
“It must have been incredibly scary for them, seeing someone they love stop breathing for a few seconds and turn blue,’’ she said.
“When I came to, I was surrounded by paramedics and remember I could not stop giggling.
“At the hospital, I had MRIs done, but no conclusion was made that night, except that I wasn’t allowed to drive for six months.
“That was pretty hard hearing as a 19-year-old.”
After a year and several tests later, neurologists diagnosed Abbey with genetic generalised epilepsy.
In Australia, one in 25 people are diagnosed with epilepsy — a condition where nerve cells in the brain can send the wrong signals and cause seizures.
These days, the 24-year-old Kalgoorlie born radio announcer is managing her condition and raising awareness through her latest role as an Epilepsy WA ambassador.
Abbey on air.
“I want to be that person, that somebody feels comfortable to come up to and tell their story to,’’ Abbey said.
“Epilepsy isn’t something to be ashamed of.”
In September, Abbey raised over $1500 for The Step 4 Epilepsy WA Campaign – where participants walked 10,000 steps every day of the month as part of Epilepsy WA’s mission to reach the collaborative goal of 25 million steps.
“Most of these steps were done during my breakfast show,’’ she said.
“I’m quite uncoordinated, so it must have looked pretty funny seeing me walk on the treadmill and take calls from listeners at the same time.”
However, judging by the excitement in her voice, Abbey loved every minute of it.
“I absolutely love what I do,’’ she said.
“I love being the reason someone enjoys their journey to work that day.
“Being a Kalgoorlie girl, it’s also great I get to interview people I know on the show – including my godmother and the mayor, who I knew growing up,’’ she said.
When Abbey isn’t putting a smile on locals dial on their drive to work, she’s helping out in the community.
“My mum was heavily involved in the community, and she’s definitely passed that onto me,’’ she said.
Abbey and her mum.
Abbey also attributes her strength and drive to growing up in a single parent household, with a mum who was her biggest cheerleader and inspiration.
“My mum is the strongest person I know. She works in the mining industry as s safety manager, and from a young age exposed me to hard work and great work ethic,’’ she said.
“When I was about 13, I moved to Perth to attend boarding school, and shortly after mum was diagnosed with bowel cancer.
“Thankfully she made a full recovery. But looking back at that time it was very hectic seeing your only parent unwell.”
Following high school, Abbey took a gap year to work as an au pair in the US, before returning to Perth to study a Bachelor of Communications in Journalism and Marketing.
“I was always the radio nerd of the boarding house, so it’s no surprise I pursued a career in radio,’’ she laughed.
“I remember riding on the bus with my classmates, and while they chatted about boys, I was listening to the radio.
“I also loved media and drama at school, so radio really is the perfect blend of the two.”
Abbey’s determination to make it in the industry, saw her go from listening to her favourite NOVA radio announcer Smallzy every day, to working alongside him in Sydney on Smallzy’s Surgery promotions.
Abbey with the team from NOVA.
After a two-year stint at NOVA Entertainment, Abbey became the first female breakfast announcer for Triple M Goldfields in January this year.
So how does she wake up at the crack of dawn each day?
“In many ways my epilepsy diagnosis has helped in my current role, because it forces me to really look after myself,’’ she said.
“The type of epilepsy I have is triggered by excessive stress or alcohol, so I always try to get to bed early and avoid drinking.
“I’m usually in bed by 7.30pm these days.”
On November 30, Abbey will be jumping in the ring to fight for epilepsy awareness.
“I’ll be taking part in this year’s Corporate Boxing Event at Crown, to raise more funds for Epilepsy WA,’’ she said.
“I’m currently training for it. It’s actually very cardio heavy. I’ll be wearing gloves, headgear and boots and will go up against a professional fighter.
“While this is something definitely out of my comfort zone, it is all for a good cause and I’m happy I can shine a spotlight on epilepsy and bring it out of the shadows.”
Author | Carmelle Wilkinson
