Donna Pammer and Dianne McKenzie say the best thing that could stem from their epilepsy support agencies hosting screenings of On the Edge would be for people who are not connected to the epilepsy community to attend — and walk away with a better understanding of the condition.
On the Edge is a documentary about epilepsy written and directed by Louis Stanislaw, a U.S. filmmaker who has coped with seizures his whole life. Through a series of interviews Stanislaw conducts throughout the film, we hear about the painful truths, misunderstandings and difficulties of living with epilepsy at every turn; from family life to school, to leaving home, and starting a career and forming lasting bonds.
The documentary also explores how there is a stigma about epilepsy and about people who are living with the condition. This stigma can cost people their jobs and friendships, which can lead to other conditions, most notably depression and anxiety.
Epilepsy Support Centre in London is hosting a screening on June 23 at 6:45 p.m. at the London Public Library’s main branch. Pammer, the agency’s executive director, says she looks forward to the event for several reasons.
“This is a great opportunity to share the experience of people with epilepsy with the broader community,” she tells Voices of Epilepsy. “Having this screening at the public library allows us to engage with the broader community, and we really think that is an advantage.”
Pammer says she hopes the screening will also attract people living with a seizure disorder that the agency has not connected with before. In other words, Pammer adds, there could be new opportunities to help people affected by seizure disorders by sharing with them everything her agency offers.
“We also hope to attract people with epilepsy or other neurological disorders that might be willing to volunteer or support our work,” she adds.
On the Edge will be screened at the Whitby Abilities Centre on June 25 at 6:45 p.m. Like Pammer, McKenzie, the executive director of Epilepsy Durham Region, says she hopes the film will attract a new demographic.
She says she hopes the film will also serve as an educational opportunity to those people.
“I am looking forward to (the documentary) enlightening people, not only people who have epilepsy, but our general population as well — it’s equally as important to educate the general public to understand what seizures are and what they can look like and how they can respond,” she says.
Both screenings will be followed by panel discussions. Registration for both screenings are free, but those who wish to attend are asked to register by clicking here.
On the Edge premiered in Canada last October to much fanfare from the epilepsy community. UCB Canada has provided funding for additional screenings in Ottawa (May 21), Whitby and London.
Writer: Deron Hamel
If you have feedback on this story, or have a story of your own that you would like to share, please contact the newsroom at 800-294-0051, ext. 23, or e-mail deron(at)axiomnews.ca. You can also leave a comment below.
Epilepsy Ontario is excited to announce On the Edge: Living with Epilepsy Road Tour. Additional screenings will take place in Ottawa, Durham Region (Whitby) and London. Each film screening will include a facilitated conversation including a clinician, a person who has epilepsy and community epilepsy representative. 
