Meeting Beautiful Faces

Yesterday and today, I had the priviledge of meeting some wonderful people at the Tennessee Disability MegaConference.  It was a rewarding experience.  I represented the Epilepsy Foundation Middle and West Tennessee to sign up individuals to recieve support group and educational information, educated them about laws that protect their rights as patients, and shared first aid information.  The most rewarding part of the conference was seeing children and adults with disabilities treated as individuals and without judgement and with respect and LOVE. 

It is amazing how a child with special needs brings an amazing awareness to those around them about how important and how unselfish LOVE is.  This special population of people among us teach us more than we could ever learn about living.  They live with hope in the face of adversity.  They smile instead of crying.  They hug you even when you are a stranger, and just fill your heart with warmth.  They accept others.  They LOVE. 

I was reminded today how much I wished for Caleb to be able to grow up into a young man.  But throughout the short time he was here with us, he LOVED.  He didn't have to tell me, it was the way he would reach to hold my hand.  That is something that I miss the most.  He loved everyone around him.  He was strong and accepting and gentle and kind and he LOVED everyone. 

Despite your personal situation, you were likely brought to this site to learn more about Epilepsy.  My experience with Caleb and his fight with Epilepsy was a daily battle.  He fought, we fought with him.  But along the way, regardless of how difficult it might have been, we looked for the smallest way that he would reach out and show LOVE to us, a brief grin, holding our hand, a gentle hug, or just him looking at us with his beautiful eyes. 

Children and adults with Epilepsy deserve your LOVE and support and acceptance and kindness.  Did you know :

• 300,000 people have a first convulsion each year.
• 200,000 new cases of epilepsy are diagnosed each year.
• Incidence is highest under the age of 2 and over 65.
• 45,000 children under the age of 15 develop epilepsy each year.
• In 70 percent of new cases, no cause is apparent.
• 326,000 school children through age 15 have epilepsy.
• More than 300,000 persons over the age of 65 have epilepsy
• 70 percent of people with epilepsy can be expected to enter remission, defined as 5 or more years seizure free on medication.
• 10 percent of new patients fail to gain control of seizures despite optimal medical management.

Epilepsy is the most common neurological disorder.  Educate yourself, and find ways to help others dealing with Epilepsy, you will learn much from them.

Blessings,
Beth

Finding Ways To Help Others

This week, it is your turn.  In an effort to service the area of Western Kentucky, I am finding many parents with children with special needs or epilepsy who are in need of services.  This week if you are a parent of a child with epilepsy, or if you or another family member have epilepsy, I'd like for you to post your experiences.  Let me know the following:

1.  Are you happy with your current health care provider?

2. Are you seizure free?

3.  Are you serviced well in your community, if yes, what services are the most valuable to you?

4.  What resources do you need?

5.  What additional supports would be helpful to you?


I know personally that navigating insurance, health care, medications, pharmacies, educational supports, therapies and resources is overwhelming.  Finding a way to pull together the services needed and share those with families in need is my goal. 

If you are not effected by Epilepsy, think about the opportunities that exist in helping a family that is dealing with this.  Offer to run errands, cook meals, go over and fold their laundry, send them cards that let them know you are available to help in any capacity.  Even one small effort on your part can be a huge blessing in the day of a deserving family.

Blessings!

Beth