Category Archive

Voices of Epilepsy

Epilepsy-focused biology unit for Grade 12 students

September 13, 2012

The main goals of an innovative Grade 12 science unit focused on seizure disorders are reducing the stigma surrounding epilepsy, teaching seizure first aid and encouraging interest in youth to pursue careers in epilepsy research and health sciences. The program, called Brain Matters: An Introduction to Neuroscience, was developed by the London, Ont.-based Epilepsy Support…

What people with seizure disorders should know about medication funding

September 6, 2012

When a 20-year-old man living with complex seizure disorder was recently denied funding for new medication from the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care’s Exceptional Access Program (EAP), after having a severe reaction to EAP-approved medication, he and his family lodged a complaint with Ontario’s ombudsman’s office. Once investigated by the ombudsman, it was discovered…

Run supersedes expectations, organizer sees new possibilities

August 31, 2012

With more than 300 participants in the 2012 Run for Epilepsy in Thunder Bay, organizer Trevor Lewis says he hopes the success of the Aug. 19 event will be a catalyst for opening a support agency in Thunder Bay to assist northwestern Ontarians living with epilepsy. “I am hoping that (the run’s success) will serve…

Summerfest camp building independence and self-esteem

August 23, 2012

The best success stemming from Summerfest, Epilepsy Ontario’s annual camp program for children living with epilepsy, is that it has been creating independence and self-esteem for children and youth since 1994, says founder Anita Allen, neurology clinic nurse at Toronto’s Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids). For 18 years, Summerfest has seen an average of 20…