Hull's Crooks opens up on epilepsy diagnosis

Hull City midfielder Matt Crooks says becoming a father was a big turning point in managing his epilepsy diagnosis.

The 31-year-old has made a big impact at the MKM Stadium since his January move from MLS side Real Salt Lake and scored his second goal for the Tigers in Saturday's 1-1 draw with Norwich City.

Crooks was diagnosed with epilepsy at the age of 18 and believes having children helped him cope with the condition.

"I think probably the big turning point for me was having my own children," Crooks told BBC Radio Humberside.

"That was the big moment where it was like 'right, its not just about me anymore. I've got other humans to look after'. That was probably the biggest shift for me."

As an eight-year-old, Crooks was scouted by boyhood club Manchester United before moving to Huddersfield Town where his professional career was beginning to blossom before his diagnosis.

"I was probably a little bit blasé about it when I was younger. Being an 18-year-old lad, I remember turning up to football the next day and said, 'yeah, by the way, I had a seizure last night'.

"I've said so many times before I've been fortunate, because I'm a footballer, I've had the best medical treatment I could have had really.

"I've had the best neurologist, the best medications offered to me and some people aren't as lucky as me. I'm really fortunate".

The former Middlesbrough player also grew up in a family with deaf parents, with father Dave representing Great Britain in football at four deaf Olympics - winning gold, silver and bronze medals.

"I think that my parents being deaf, I've kind of learned to deal with something slightly different to other households," he said.

"So then when I had something myself, it was possibly easier to deal with".

Crooks now works with the Peter Doody Foundation, a charity which works to normalise epilepsy from stigma, limitations and fear - as well as highlighting the dangers of the condition.

"I was at Middlesbrough at the time and basically the parents got in contact with me and it was just a quick meet-up at first," Crooks added.

"Even in that first meeting, some of the stuff they told me I didn't know. I had never been told about SUDEP (Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy).

"I'm there just to help them try and raise awareness for their charity which is in memory of their son which I think is really poignant."