The Challenges Of Living With Epilepsy

Living with epilepsy can be tough. Epilepsy can affect the emotional health of an individual in many ways. Emotional health is an important part of overall health. We can empower and help those with epilepsy and their families by becoming more aware of the challenges people with epilepsy may face.

Fast facts about epilepsy:

• Epilepsy is a brain disorder that causes seizures
• Epilepsy receives ten times less funding than other brain disorders
• 1 in 10 people will have a seizure
• 1 in 26 will develop epilepsy during their lifetime
• 470,000 children in the U.S. live with epilepsy

 As well as general awareness, learning about first aid and immediate care for those experiencing a seizure can save lives. 

Learn Seizure First Aid

The Epilepsy Foundation recently created a free, online Seizure First Aid Ready course. This online training provides you with the Epilepsy Foundation’s basic procedures for responding to someone having a seizure. The course, available anywhere and at any time and featuring animations and videos, is presented in an easy interactive eLearning format.

The Seizure First Aid Ready On-Demand training is now available! This is a great resource that educates the public on the Epilepsy Foundation’s basic procedures for responding to someone having a seizure. The Seizure First Aid Ready course, available online anywhere and at any time, is presented in an interactive eLearning format that includes animations, videos, and activities. This course will teach you how to identify and handle seizures. You'll be able to tell when it's necessary to call 911 during a seizure and which steps to take if you encounter a person having a seizure.

Share Your Story

Share your epilepsy story with the world. Wherever you are in your epilepsy journey, tell your story online. Videos, photos, and words all make your story real and present to others. Your content can create understanding, support, and outcomes that can help change the tide of our community's battle towards a better future. Submit your story or read others on the Epilepsy Foundation eJourney Community Blog. 

Get Social To Encourage Action

Follow the Epilepsy Foundation on social media. The goal of this year’s awareness campaign is to share personal stories and lifesaving information. And to do that, they're asking people to change their Facebook and/or Instagram profile picture during the month of November. They would also like you to ask friends if they'll do so as well and to use ##NEAM2021, #RemoveTheFilter, #SeizureFirstAid in posts. 

National Epilepsy Awareness Month (NEAM) 2021 graphics for social media.

Get Your Community Involved

For the Kids

This year, the Epilepsy Foundation has a variety of activities that kids can do to participate:

• Purple Shirt Day: Pick a day to wear a purple shirt or accessory to school and share facts about epilepsy with your teachers and classmates. Invite others to join you ahead of time.
  
• Get Creative: Use your artistic skills to create a poster or flyer with epilepsy facts and ask your teacher if you can post it on an announcement or bulletin board in your school building during the month of November.
  
• Show Your Fall Spirit: Autumn is here and so are pumpkins everywhere! Raise awareness and funds for the epilepsy community by joining the Purple Pumpkin Project and paint your orange pumpkin patch purple.
  
• Share Information with Others: Ask your teacher, principal or coach if you can give a short presentation to your school, classroom or sports team before or after morning announcements, practice/games. Talk about epilepsy and what it means to you.
  
• Talk or Text Your Friends and Family: Work with your parents to call or text members of your extended family and friends and tell them about how epilepsy has affected you or someone you know during the month of November. Encourage them to get certified by taking the Epilepsy Foundation’s Seizure First Aid Training.
  
• Plant Purple Flowers: Plant or pot purple flowers, like mums or asters, this November to honor people who have been impacted by epilepsy.
  
• Paint the Town: Use sidewalk chalk to draw purple pictures on your sidewalk and/or driveway in honor of NEAM.

Do a Fundraiser 

Walk to END EPILEPSY®

The Epilepsy Foundation hosts an annual Walk to END EPILEPSY and a 2.6 million-mile challenge. November is the time to get involved and commit to helping those who experience epilepsy and seizures. There’s no better time than now to get started and take your first step in the right direction. Get a move on.

Fundraise Your Way

You could host a dinner party, create a snowboarding tournament, or anything you can think of to raise funds for epilepsy awareness. It doesn't even matter what you're doing. Your idea, every effort, and every dollar will have an impact on the lives of 3.4+ million Americans living with epilepsy. Register today and get the resources, tips, and tools you need to help lead you to fundraising success.

Stream for Epilepsy

Streamers unite! With the #GameOverEpilepsy event running throughout November 2021, gamers around the globe are streaming to raise life-saving funds and awareness to help support the epilepsy community. Sign up to stream your gaming. Also, check out Level Up! prizes for each level of funds you raise for the cause. 

Become an Epilepsy Awareness Ambassador

 Becoming Epilepsy Awareness Ambassador is a great way to help. Epilepsy Awareness Ambassador volunteers are passionate and dedicated to spreading awareness of epilepsy, by engaging in monthly activities that promote all areas of the Epilepsy Foundation’s mission. You choose your own volunteer opportunity based on your interests and availability.

Make A Difference: #RemoveTheFilter

This November and to next November and beyond, the Epilepsy Foundation invites you to join them in their fight against epilepsy by helping to create awareness for a disease that affects 3.4 million people in the United States. #Removethefilter by sharing your story on social media about how epilepsy has affected you.