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Light up for epilepsy

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On Friday the 21stof June, South Africa will be celebrating National Epilepsy Day. In light of the festivities a nationwide candle lighting ceremony will take place at 19:30 to raise awareness and show support to people living with, or affected by epilepsy. Anyone is welcome to join our event, or even light a candle at home.

You can also join our Cupcake Challenge this week. Bake a cupcake, ice it and share it on our blog and your own social media. Urge people to vote for your entry or maybe challenge them to enter their own cupcake. Have fun and support Epilepsy South Africa. Download you “Licence to Chill” for the right to “chill” for 15 minutes on National Epilepsy Day. What would your life be like if you had epilepsy?

Show your support on National Epilepsy Day by wearing something red. Paint your nails red or put on some red lipstick to get into the spirit of things. The main aim of National Epilepsy Day is to raise awareness and dispel the myths and social stigmas attached to the condition. Stigmatisation leads to discrimination and negatively affects seizure control and thus the quality of life of people with epilepsy.

Facts on Epilepsy

  • Epilepsy is the most common neurological condition.
  • About 1 in every 100 people has epilepsy.
  • A single seizure does not necessarily mean you have epilepsy.
  • Epilepsy can affect anyone, at any age.
  • 75% of people with epilepsy have had their first seizure before the age of 20.
  • Up to 80% of people will have their epilepsy controlled by medication.
  • Many children with epilepsy will outgrow it.
  • Epilepsy is not a mental illness or psychiatric disorder.
  • Epilepsy is not infectious or contagious.
  • 1 in 20 people have a seizure at some time in their lives.
  • A seizure is caused by abnormal chemical activity of the brain.
  • Slightly more males than females have epilepsy.
  • Epilepsy has not stood in the way of achievement for people like Jonty Rhodes, Vusi Mahlasela and Agatha Christie.
  • There are different forms of epilepsy and types of seizures.
  • Some people's seizures follow a definite pattern while others have unpredictable seizures.
  • Some people get a warning before a seizure.
  • Most seizures are over quickly and are easily dealt with.
  • Epilepsy affects people of all levels of intelligence and from all racial and social backgrounds.
  • Anyone can develop epilepsy at any stage of life.
  • For most people with epilepsy, the biggest problem they have to face is other people's attitudes to epilepsy.
  • What people with epilepsy most need is understanding and acceptance from the public.

Contact your nearest branch of Epilepsy South Africa to join a candle lighting ceremony in your area and become part of the fun.

For more information about Epilepsy South Africa and National Epilepsy Day, contact the organisation on 0860 EPILEPSY (0860 374 537) or visit www.epilepsy.org.za.

To enter the Cupcake Challenge visit the blog (www.epilepsy.org.za/nationalepilepsyweek2013)

 

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