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Epilepsy News 12-22-2011

November 2011 has been the most successful campaign to date to raise epilepsy awareness in Masshachusetts, Rhode Island, New Hampshire and Maine. We put out the call and YOU answered! Many of you sent our Get Seizure Smart! quiz out to family, friends, neighbors, co-workers, and others in the community. A few held Epilepsy Awareness exhibits in your school or work others requested H.O.P.E. Presentations at their schools or workplaces. For a complete calendar listing of events held during November click here.

Dina Wilford and Arlene Roy of York County Community College held a month-long Epilepsy Awareness Project at the school. Dina had this to share about the project: 

"This is what we did for the whole month. Each week we set up a table and handed out the "Get Seizure Smart" quizzes along with handing out the pamphlets about what epilepsy is and how to help someone having a seizure. We created a purple chain link with the names of people here on our campus who are, or have been effected by epilepsy. It was a nice visual support to what we were doing. Also, while we were handing out quizzes and such we had a donation box. We raised $125 for the foundation. At the end of the month we had an open forum presentation. My daughter and another student spoke about what it was like to live with epilepsy. I have to say it was very touching. There were other students and faculty who shared their stories with me through out the month and it was wonderful to hear and share the challenges of dealing with epilepsy."

This is Dina at the epilepsy awareness table with the purple chain of those affected by epilepsy. Thank you Dina, Arlene and all the others who came and learned something about epilepsy.

KNOWLEDGE IS POWER! Want proof? Below is a copy of an email (printed with permission) by someone who attended a H.O.P.E. presentation at work last May.

I wanted to let you know the session you arranged a few months back on Epilepsy & seizures wound up being really helpful.   Last night, my neighbor came over with her 3 yr old nephew in the middle of having a seizure.    Because of the info I had learned, I was able to recognize what was happening and had her lie C. down on the rug.    It also helped me stay calm after the seizure stopped and he was breathing ok but pretty out of it because I remembered hearing about that it could be exhausting on the body.    We did call 911 because he also had a high fever but because of the info I had heard, I was able to help calm and reassure my neighbor.    I went to the hospital with them too until the parents could come.   C. was doing good when I left – his fever of 105 was dropping and other than being tired and groggy, was good.    It turns out he had 1 seizure in the past and they diagnosed it as a febrile seizure brought on by high fever, not epilepsy-related, but all the info I heard was extremely helpful .    Just thought you’d want to know it made a difference.    Thx.

So help spread the word in your community! We have trained presenters to give 30, 45 or 60 minute talks to groups. Call 617-506-6041 or email today!

Executive Order No. 530 Commission for the Reform of Community, Social Service and Paratransit Transportation Services in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.  This is legislative activity established by Governor Patrick for the Executive Office of Health and Human Services to establish a particular Commission to receive comments from the general public.  Click here for the document that details the Commission’s goals and provide a schedule of the meetings.  This Commission has been formed to improve social services and paratransit transportation.   Consider attending a public comment and dialogue session in your community to provide the Commission members with need education about the deficiency that you experience with the state’s  paratransit transportation and social services.