Kerikeri woman Deidre Shand says her epilepsy has controlled her life and she wants nothing more than to have a job.

Shand, 33, is speaking out ahead of Purple Day on March 26 - a worldwide day dedicated to increasing awareness about epilepsy.

Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological conditions which is characterised by unpredictable seizures, with differing experiences for different people.

Shand had her first seizure in 1997 as a 12-year-old, and now has at least 15 a day ranging from blank stares (absences) to seizures which cause her to lose consciousness. The more severe seizures can last for an hour.

She says her epilepsy has had a major impact on her life and took away her chance to have a normal teenage experience.

"When I was younger it really drew me away from friends, and I never got to be a normal teenager and go out to bars and clubs," Shand says.

"My epilepsy has controlled my life, I can't control my seizures and I've fallen on numerous occasions."

The seizures can result in serious falls, which have meant she has needed to visit the hospital or local accident and emergency clinics "countless times".

She says there can be misunderstandings by the public as sometimes her seizures make her appear intoxicated.

"I was having a seizure in the [Kerikeri] domain and a woman walked past and said I looked drunk."

"If you know me you know what my seizures can be like."

Before moving to Kerikeri in January 2017 from Auckland - Shand enjoyed working in an office for a first aid training company and says she would love nothing more than to return to the workforce.

When husband John goes to work in the afternoons, Shand has a caregiver to make sure someone is with her at all times.

John says the pair just "get on with it".

"Just treat her like a normal person and get to know her," John says.