Around the Province
Fine Arts Festival in Kingston
On May 24, 1996, Epilepsy Kingston held its 2nd Annual "Starry Starry Night" Fine Arts Festival. The evening featured an art auction, with theatrical acts and musical performances. It was the culmination of the Vincent Van Gogh Art Contest.
All the performances, musical and theatrical and art were pieces by or about famous people with epilepsy. Included in the evening were an excerpt from Moliere's, The Miser, songs by Don McLean, Sinead O'Connor, and local folk musicians; and a reading from William Goldings', The Lord of the Flies.
The evening was a great success, both in raising funds for Epilepsy Kingston and raising the community's awareness about epilepsy. Over ninety five entries were received last year.
The Vincent Van Gogh Art Contest is held annually to raise public awareness and understanding about the talents and productivity of people with epilepsy. Over fifteen local secondary schools participate by submitting works of art in the style of Van Gogh.
TEENSPROJECT in Kingston
Epilepsy Kingston started a new educational programme last year for young people, called TEENSPROJECT. Staff and volunteers use overheads, videos and a simulation exercise to teach youth about workings of the brain, first aid, causes of epilepsy, and preventative safety issues.
Over 125 young people have participated in the first year of the project.
Driving & Epilepsy Study in London
Dr. Richard McLachlan of University Hospital in London, Ontario is conducting a study regarding epilepsy and driving issues. As you know this subject has been on the minds of many people with epilepsy, especially those who are required to drive with their employment.
If you or your clients meet the qualifications, please contact Epilepsy London and Area at 519-433-4073 (fax 519-433-4079) or email them at epilond@gtn.net.
Epilepsy Wellness
Conference for the Chinese Community by Mei-Ling Kwan, Community Worker, Epilepsy Mississauga
Lead by Epilepsy Mississauga, Epilepsy Ontario's first "second language" conference, The Epilepsy Wellness Conference to the Chinese Community was a tremendous success. It was conducted in Cantonese, on 26 October 1996 at the auditorium of North York Central Library. The "Days of Action" in the Toronto area didn't stop people from making their way to the conference, as over fifty persons attended.
We were pleased to have Dr. Joseph Chu and Ms. Zion Law as our guest speakers. Dr. Chu is head of several departments at Queensway Hospital, Etobicoke, including Medicine, Neurology, EMG, EEG and Evoked Potentials Laboratory. Ms. Law is an experienced Counselling Consultant and Psychotherapist. She is also a member of the guest faculty of Living Water Counselling Centre, Toronto. Both speakers enlightened the audience with a deeper understanding on epilepsy and more importantly, educated them to cope with stresses that might come along with epilepsy.
An information package in Chinese, covering the definition of epilepsy, classification of seizures, answers to some common questions and a seizure record chart was given to each participant. Many said that both the conference and the materials were useful to them in learning more about epilepsy and the organization. They hope EO will organize more conferences and translate more brochures into Chinese.
Epilepsy Ontario would like to extend a special appreciation to Epilepsy Mississauga, specifically Mei-Ling Kwan and Fanny Yip for all their time and expertise in organizing such a successful conference.
If you would like to receive the materials that were distributed at the Epilepsy Wellness Conference, please call Epilepsy Mississauga at 905-803-0526.
Epilepsy Sarnia & Area
The volunteers and staff of Epilepsy Sarnia would like to extend their sincere appreciation to the Royal Canadian Legion - Sarnia Branch #62 for its very generous donation to the chapter. These funds will help support local programs and services the chapter provides to the people living with epilepsy and their families in the City of Sarnia and area.
Adopt-A-Puppet
Epilepsy Simcoe County has introduced a new program in conjunction with their Kids on the Block puppet program: Adopt - A- Puppet.
For a $250.00 donation, you can adopt one of their ten "kids", (puppets). In appreciation of the donation, the donor receives: a picture of their "kid", a certificate and a tax receipt for the full amount of their donation. The funds are used to purchase new clothes, travelling bags and to cover transportation costs to and from the numerous puppet shows.
Since the program began in late September 1996, two of the puppets have been adopted already.
EO Video Aired
One of our videos was broadcast several times in the past year, on Health Matters, a programme on the LIFE NETWORK.
All About Epilepsy, video, VHS, 17 minutes
The All About Epilepsy video was produced by Epilepsy Ontario in 1991. It depicts the history of epilepsy, seizure recognition, first aid techniques, medical testing, various treatments and the help available for people with epilepsy.
The video follows the format of the educational pamphlet with the same title. One of the primary goals was to describe Epilepsy in lay language, yet provide sufficient facts to dispel some of the myths surrounding the disorder.
Various seizures types are described with representative seizure for the four main categories, their causes and their effects - replace myth with fact. Partial, complex-partial, generalized absence and tonic-clonic seizures are identified and depicted in a non-threatening yet educational manner. A description of the brain as a highly complex and sensitive organ controlling and regulating all our actions, motor movements, sensations, thoughts and emotions is graphically illustrated.
Various causes are identified with current treatment techniques - anti-convulsants and surgery. Auras and status epilepticus are explained. A neurologist, psychologist, family practitioner and patients are interviewed in their areas of expertise of diagnosis and treatment. Issues of age of onset, prevalence, incidence, heredity, driving, school, employment and aspects of living with epilepsy are death with the same professional manner.
Targeted to the general public, the All About Epilepsy video answers questions about what's it like to have epilepsy, the help available, first aid and the support available at your local Epilepsy Chapter and Epilepsy Ontario.
The video was made possible through the generous donation from the Trillium Foundation. We hope to update this video in this next year as it has been a very effective in educating numerous people about epilepsy and the organization.
If you would like to borrow a copy of the video, please contact your local Epilepsy Chapter. Copies of the video may be purchased from Epilepsy Ontario for Cdn$29.00, including postage and delivery.
