Category Archive

All About Seizures

Action Day 2015 aims to ensure seizure control is available to all Ontarians with epilepsy

October 22, 2015

By Deron Hamel Representatives from community epilepsy agencies across Ontario will be gathering at Queen’s Park on Oct. 27 to meet with MPPs to underscore the importance of controlling seizures for everyone in the province living with epilepsy. Epilepsy Action Day is an annual event where the representatives convene at the Ontario legislature to mobilize…

2,000% price hike on infantile spasms medication ‘predatory behaviour’: Neurologist

September 24, 2015

By Deron Hamel A 2,000-per-cent price hike on a medication to treat infantile spasms is “predatory behaviour” on the part of Questcor Pharmaceuticals, and drug companies could hike prices on other seizure medications if policies aren’t put into place, says pediatric neurologist Dr. Carter Snead. Infantile spasms – also called West syndrome – is a…

Scholarship winner began advocating for epilepsy awareness shortly after diagnosis

July 16, 2015

By Deron Hamel It wasn’t long after Sarah Hysenaj had her first seizure that she became an epilepsy awareness advocate. Sarah was 11 years old and on a school field trip when she had her first seizure in front of her classmates. Fortunately for Sarah, her teacher knew exactly what was happening and what to…

Supreme Court’s medicinal marijuana ruling a relief for family of child with Dravet syndrome

June 18, 2015

By Deron Hamel The Supreme Court of Canada’s landmark decision to legalize all forms of consumption of medicinal marijuana means Mandy McKnight no longer has to break the law in order to stop her young son’s seizures. Mandy’s seven-year-old son, Liam, has Dravet syndrome, a severe form of epilepsy with frequent, prolonged, drug-resistant seizures. He…