Did you know that today is the first every International Epilepsy Day?
Epilepsy is a seizure disorder. Seizures are caused by electrical disturbances in the brain. According to the Epilepsy Foundation, "Epilepsy is the fourth most common neurological disorder and affects people of all ages". There are several different types of epilepsy, and several different types of seizures. You can find out about some of the Epilepsy Syndromes here.
Another aspect of epilepsy is SUDEP - Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy. SUDEP occurs when an otherwise healthy individual dies during or right after a seizure.
According to the International Bureau for Epilepsy, "On average, one person in every 100 has epilepsy. In developing countries the incidence is significantly higher." Chances are high that someone you know, or someone you love, has epilepsy.
I had the privilege of working with a little girl that was diagnosed with Dravet Syndrome. No matter how many seizures she had in a day (some days they were non-stop), she was always such a happy girl, and always willing to learn. This little girl and her family have been through so many struggles in her life: difficult medical decisions, uprooting their lives to seek better medical care, and the every day fear of losing their little girl. The medical expenses are unbelievable due to uncovered medications, trips to the emergency room, and all the special equipment this little girl needs (you can make a donation towards their medical expenses and learn more about her here).
Can you imagine having to watch someone you love suffer through one seizure, let alone multiple seizures? Please spread the word on epilepsy. Become aware of the types of seizures that exist and what you can do to help so that you can help someone if the occasion ever arises. I have included several links in this blog post - I highly encourage you to visit them and learn about the tragedy of epilepsy.
