Epilepsy Awareness Month

November is recognized as Epilepsy Awareness Month, but raising awareness should be a year-round commitment! It's crucial to understand epilepsy, a neurological disorder that affects millions of people worldwide, and to share that knowledge with friends, family, and your community. By educating others, you can help dispel myths and reduce stigma associated with this condition. If you're in a position to do so, consider supporting an epilepsy foundation through donations, which can fund vital research, patient services, and community initiatives. Additionally, wearing purple throughout this month is a powerful way to show solidarity with those bravely living with epilepsy. Let’s all come together to advocate for awareness, support, and a greater understanding of epilepsy, not just in November, but every day of the year!

💜 Facts About Epilepsy and the Importance of Awareness

Epilepsy affects nearly 50 million people worldwide, making it one of the most common neurological conditions. Yet despite its prevalence, myths and misunderstandings still cloud public perception. By sharing facts and fostering awareness, we can cultivate empathy, understanding, and more robust support systems for individuals and families affected by epilepsy.

⚡ What Is Epilepsy?

Epilepsy is a chronic neurological disorder marked by recurrent, unprovoked seizures. Seizures are sudden surges of electrical activity in the brain that can cause changes in behavior, movement, feelings, or levels of consciousness.

There are many types of seizures, and not all look like the convulsions often portrayed in the media. Some involve brief staring spells or unusual movements, while others affect awareness or sensory experiences.

🧠 Key Facts to Know

• Cause Isn’t Always Known: About 50% of epilepsy cases have no identifiable cause. For others, it may be linked to brain injury, stroke, infection, or genetic factors.
• Epilepsy Affects All Ages: It can begin in childhood, adulthood, or senior years.
• It’s Not Contagious: Epilepsy isn’t something you can "catch", it's a medical condition.
• Treatment Varies: Many individuals find relief with medication, while others benefit from surgery, devices like vagus nerve stimulators, or lifestyle changes.
• It’s More Than Seizures: People with epilepsy may face challenges with mental health, memory, education, employment, and social inclusion.

🚦 Why Awareness Matters

• Reduces Stigma: Misconceptions can lead to fear, discrimination, and exclusion. Awareness helps replace stigma with compassion and facts.
• Improves Response: Knowing how to help during a seizure, such as staying calm, timing the episode, keeping the person safe, and not putting anything in their mouth; can be lifesaving.
• Supports Access to Care: Advocacy helps promote funding for research, improved treatments, and healthcare access.
• Empowers Families: When caregivers, educators, and peers understand epilepsy, it eases the burden on families and promotes inclusion in everyday life.

💬 In Their Words

Personal stories from those living with epilepsy often reveal courage, creativity, and perseverance. Whether it’s a child navigating school or an adult balancing work and wellness, their voices matter in shaping policies and public understanding.

💜 What Is SUDEP?

Sometimes, when someone has epilepsy, a rare and severe event called SUDEP can happen. It means a person passes away suddenly for reasons doctors don’t fully understand yet. SUDEP is more likely when seizures happen often or during sleep. That’s why kids and grown-ups with epilepsy need to take their medicine and visit the doctor regularly to keep seizures under control. Although SUDEP is rare, learning about it helps families stay safe, feel supported, and honor those who have been affected.

“Let’s light the way with knowledge and kindness. Share this post to spark understanding, break stigma, and support epilepsy awareness.”

🌟 Activity: “Shine a Light on Epilepsy” Awareness Circle

🎯 Goal:

Help students learn key facts about epilepsy, explore how they can support others, and express empathy and inclusion through collaborative creativity.

📚 What You’ll Need:

• Large sheet of poster paper or bulletin board space
• Markers, crayons, or colored pencils
• Cut-out paper candles, stars, or hearts (or a printable template)
• Fact cards about epilepsy and seizure safety (simplified for age level)
• Optional: Video clip or guest speaker with lived experience

🌀 How It Works:

1. Start with a Story
   Begin with a gentle read-aloud or a short video that explains what epilepsy is, using kid-friendly language. Highlight how different people experience it in other ways, and how we can be kind and supportive.
2. Create the Awareness Circle
   Each student decorates a candle, star, or heart cut-out with one of the following:
• A fact they learned about epilepsy
• A message of encouragement or hope
• A word that represents empathy or inclusion
• A drawing showing friendship or support
3. Build the Circle Together
   Arrange all the cut-outs around a central poster that reads:
4. “We Shine a Light on Epilepsy Awareness”
   Or modify with your own heartfelt title!
5. Discussion Time
   Invite students to share what they have learned or what they felt. Teachers can reinforce helpful behaviors, such as staying calm during a seizure, seeking help, and showing kindness to classmates who may have health challenges.
6. Extend the Learning (Optional)

• Write a class poem or letter to someone with epilepsy
• Create a mini-booklet with epilepsy facts and drawings
• Connect the activity to a gratitude letter: “I’m thankful for people who help keep us safe.”

Warriors:

We love and miss you, Dylan King!!