Epilepsy Awareness - March 26 2012

I didn't know that such a day existed. But, that's the beauty of the internet. It is easy to get such information, as opposed to the olden days.

Epilepsy is defined as: "a brain disorder in which a person has repeated seizures (convulsions) over time. Seizures are episodes of disturbed brain activity that cause changes in attention or behavior. Epilepsy occurs when permanent changes in brain tissue cause the brain to be too excitable or jumpy. The brain sends out abnormal signals. This results in repeated, unpredictable seizures. (A single seizure that does not happen again is not epilepsy.) Epilepsy may be due to a medical condition or injury that affects the brain, or the cause may be unknown (idiopathic)".


The day is marked by a purple ribbon - and people often wear purple, to observe the day. I too will don my purple top tomorrow to show solidarity with sufferers of this disease. The observance of this day was started in 2008, by nine-year-old Cassidy Megan of Nova Scotia, Canada, with the help of the Epilepsy Association of Nova Scotia (EANS). Cassidy chose the colour purple after the international colour for epilepsy, lavender. The lavender flower is also often associated with solitude, which is representative of the feelings of isolation many people affected by epilepsy and seizure disorders often feel. Cassidy's goal is for people with epilepsy everywhere to know they are not alone. To learn more about Cassidy and Global Purple Day Partners EANS and The Anita Kaufmann Foundation (AKFUS), please visit http://www.purpleday.org/.


To be honest, I still don't know much about this disease. My first experience with it was as traumatic as anything ever. One day while seated in a room, my otherwise healthy relative let out a long cry and proceeded to convulse. I don't remember how old I was, but I was damned scared of the situation, and frankly, to this day continue to be. You have to understand that, as a kid growing up, we only ever knew of people suffering from Malaria as the WORST disease (don't get me wrong, but that was the only ailment we knew in people). This one - we had no idea what it was, and how it came about, although from my understanding, it may have been a brain injury as a result of a car accident. The only treatment available is medication.


My relative continues to suffer from them. I am ashamed to say that I have never had a discussion with him about it. He's had several seizures in my presence, and it still scares me what could happen to him if they come on when he's not in a "safe" environment.  But, I continue to pray for him and hope that he continues to manage the disease well as he somehow has over the past few years. 


So, for the day, I remember and honour my relative, this disease and the many people suffering from it (Epilepsy affects over 50 million people worldwide or approximately 1 in 100 people. That's more than multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy and Parkinson's disease combined ~ according to http://www.purpleday.org/). I really do hope a more sustainable and long lasting cure for the disease could be found. In the meantime, I salute you for continuing your life without letting the disease hinder anything that you do!


My prayer for this year is that I one day get the courage to discuss this disease with him. To learn more about it from him, and how he has managed himself over the year. More importantly, to show him my support as he battles the disease.