Epilepsy Awareness
Alysse Rich, EO Placement Student
Written for Epilepsy Awareness Month
For as long as there have been people with epilepsy, there have been myths that caused them to be prejudged falsely. It was thought long ago that epileptic seizures were the result of a visit from the gods or a demon. Even though nowadays the general public of Western society is aware that a seizure does not constitute holy or demonic possession, there are still many misconceptions about epilepsy that exist.
March is Epilepsy Awareness Month. Being a new co-op student at Epilepsy Ontario is giving me the chance to realize how much I have yet to learn. It is unfair to retain stereotypical knowledge about seizure disorders when they directly affect the lives of between 225,000 to 250,000 people in Ontario! It is my hope that Awareness Month will give people with epilepsy the chance to gain information, as well as give the general public the chance to learn valuable and life-saving facts. It is important that everyone acquire the knowledge of first aid and safety tips, because seizure disorders can affect the lives of everyone. It is estimated that up to 12% of Ontario's population is indirectly affected by epilepsy. That's as many as 1.4 million people.
Epilepsy is not a disease or a psychological disorder, and it is not contagious. It is a seizure disorder caused by sudden bursts of electrical energy in a person's brain. The electrical discharges are what produce seizures of all types, and the severity and frequency vary from person to person. There are twice as many people with epilepsy as the combined number of people with cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis, and cystic fibrosis. Epilepsy can develop in a person of any age, although it is most common during the childhood and senior years.
Many different and exciting programs for people of all ages are occurring during the month of March across Ontario. Some include conferences, forums, performances, puppet programs, and entertainment. To find out more about the events in your area, check the listing of events or contact your local chapter of Epilepsy Ontario.
The vast majority of people with epilepsy can lead active, independent, and fulfilling lives. These people, however, often encounter problems caused by the ignorance and fear of others around them. Children with epilepsy are often teased, and adults are faced with people who believe that they are incompetent. Epilepsy Awareness Month is essential in providing interesting and educative programs in an attempt to rid society of the ignorance and stereotypes. Once we are all fully informed about epilepsy, we can eliminate the problem of discrimination that people with epilepsy face.
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