I've got epilepsy and I've been rejected from 300 jobs in a year

Since being diagnosed with epilepsy at 13 years old, Sophie Morgan has tried everything to have a "normal" life, from invasive brain surgery to various medications.

But one of the 28-year-old's greatest challenges has been getting a job.

Despite having an undergraduate and a master's degree, Sophie said she had applied for 300 jobs in the past year with just one interview and no success.

"I have to accept it. It's wrong, but I'm learning to adjust to it."

Sophie, from Newport, said employers repeatedly told her they "cannot facilitate" her condition, while recruiters "fall silent" when she mentions her condition.

"Trying to find a job with epilepsy is like trying to find a needle in a haystack. It's 10 times harder for us and a constant battle."

Only 44% of people with epilepsy are currently employed, according to UK government data.

"I'm qualified, I'm experienced, I would like to say I'm a nice person... I don't think I'm an issue for a workplace, but they always seem to think I'm an issue," she said.

"It has become more difficult... I have all the tools I need, I've just not been able to use them."

Despite having a bachelor's degree in education with additional learning needs and inclusion and a master's degree in developmental and therapeutic play, Sophie has spent the past year fielding rejection emails.

Epilepsy is a condition that affects your brain and causes seizures, otherwise known as fits. It cannot be cured, but treatment can help manage it.

Sophie had two brain surgeries in 2024 to try and determine the cause of her epilepsy and they revealed it would be too unsafe to remove the part of her brain causing it.

This devastated Sophie as she pinned her hopes on it giving her more freedom to live a "normal" life.

"The fact that both of my surgeries failed... it almost felt like I did it all for nothing."

She had to come off her medication for six months so doctors could monitor her seizures and needed 24-hour care for weeks after the operation.

Due to this, and the surgery taking place in Cardiff, Sophie had to leave her job in children's education and give up her rented home in Swansea, something she really struggled with.

"When I got the keys to that flat it felt like I'd reached the top of Mount Everest," she said.

She described being "so proud of herself" when she got the flat as she had come so far since being diagnosed with epilepsy.

To help her get back on her feet, Sophie moved in with her cousin in Newport, but what was meant to be six months has turned into two years.

"Because I can't find a job, I can't move out. If