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Epilepsy Awareness - Purple Day 26th March

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March 26th is Epilepsy Awareness Day, also known as Purple Day. This day is dedicated to raising awareness about epilepsy and helping to reduce the stigma that surrounds this neurological disorder. Epilepsy affects more than 65 million people worldwide, so it's essential to educate yourself and others about this condition. This blog post will discuss epilepsy and what you can do to help support those who live with it.

What is epilepsy?

Epilepsy is a neurological disorder that causes seizures. Seizures are episodes of abnormal brain activity that can cause various symptoms, including loss of consciousness, muscle spasms, and convulsions. Epilepsy can be caused by many different factors, including genetic predisposition, head injuries, stroke, and brain tumours. There is no cure for epilepsy, but it can be managed with medication and other treatments.

If you know someone with epilepsy, there are many ways you can support them. First, learn as much as you can about the condition to be understanding and patient. It's also important to be there for your friend or loved one when they have a seizure. Seizures can be frightening, so being a calm and supportive presence can make a big difference. Finally, you can help to spread awareness about epilepsy by talking to others about it and sharing information on social media.

Raising Awareness

Purple Day is an important day for raising awareness about epilepsy. By educating yourself and others, you can help make a difference in the lives of those who live with this condition.

We're highlighting one of the ways you can get involved: by supporting dogs! Support Dogs are an effective treatment option for people living with epilepsy. These special dogs are trained to perform tasks that can help alert their owner to an oncoming seizure and provide physical support during and after an episode.

There are many ways to support dog therapy, whether through donating to organisations that train them such as Support Dogs, volunteering your time, or simply spreading awareness about how these incredible animals can help people with epilepsy. So today, we encourage you to learn more about support dogs and how you can help them!

Hesitating?...

Then you should watch these real-life stories to help make up your mind…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GcyEnPm6un4 – Sam and his autism assistance dog Willow

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5AB0tXYpMjc – Brogan and her epilepsy seizure alert dog Wadsley

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=imvLUzxo-E4&t=14s – Amanda, an adult who suffers from multiple serious health issues and her disability assistance dog Jupiter

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=imvLUzxo-E4 – Molly, a child who suffers from Cerebral Palsy and her disability assistance dog Chess.

Lynn & Simba

'I learnt about Support Dogs through a man who had his own seizure alert dog, so I was quite hopeful as I knew its impact on his life. It had been about 10 years since my diagnosis, so I was willing to give anything a try.' – Lynn.

The lightening effects of a dog called Thunda

Jo explains Thunda's impact: 'Before Thunda, at times we could never do things like going to the supermarket. Franklin could not cope with that. We could not get him out of the door. Now, thanks to the magic of Thunda, he will go for walks, happily tethered to the dog. A simple trip to the supermarket is a run of the mill for most people, but it's amazing for us - we are starting small but hoping to build on this!'

Final Thoughts

As our Epilepsy Awareness blog comes to an end, we want to leave you with some final thoughts. First and foremost, epilepsy and other special needs are real conditions that should not be taken lightly.

If you or someone you know has epilepsy, educate yourself on the condition and how best to manage it. Secondly, don't forget to show your support for others with epilepsy by wearing purple on Purple Day!

Lastly, we want to thank everyone who has shown their support for epilepsy awareness today. Your efforts make a difference and help break the stigma surrounding this condition.

Thank you - here's a summary of how you can help!

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