November is National Epilepsy Awareness Month and the Epilepsy Foundation’s national initiative – Get Seizure Smart – is a grassroots public awareness campaign aimed at getting information about seizure first aid and recognition into the hands of as many Americans as possible, so they will know how to respond if they see someone having a seizure. Even though epilepsy is the most common neurological disorder affecting all age groups, it is still largely misunderstood by the general public.
This year, another 200,000 people will be diagnosed with epilepsy, and an estimated 25,000 to 50,000 will die of seizures and related causes. Some people live well with controlled seizures, while others – approximately one-third of Americans with epilepsy – have seizures that are resistant to medical treatment. It causes many people to live with constant anxiety, wondering when the next seizure will strike. No age group or demographic is exempt. It is estimated that 1 in 100 children will be diagnosed with epilepsy before age 20, and the number of cases in the elderly continues to soar as the baby boomer generation approaches retirement age. Currently, more than 570,000 adults ages 65 and older in the United States have the condition.
And yet, if you saw someone having a seizure on the street, would you know what to do? If you are like most Americans, your answer is probably, “No.” Many people still think you should put a spoon or another object in the mouth of someone who is having a seizure, when nothing could be farther from the truth. You should never put something in the mouth of someone having a seizure.
We are fortunate that our government is taking a proactive stance in learning more about epilepsy and its implications on society by funding an Institute of Medicine study to examine public health issues surrounding epilepsy and seizures. The results of this study, which the Epilepsy Foundation is supporting with information and resources, will recommend priorities so we can better meet the needs of people living with epilepsy, including caregivers. The study will look at a broader picture of epilepsy, focusing on the whole spectrum of related disorders, as well as many of its co-existing conditions, such as depression, anxiety, migraines and autism.
Last year, more than one million people got seizure smart, and this year the goal is five million people. By raising awareness about this condition, we are helping people with epilepsy live better lives. Epilepsy is a complex disorder, but it should not be an unknown quantity – it should not be overlooked. National Epilepsy Awareness Month and the Get Seizure Smart campaign will bring attention to a disorder that has been misunderstood for too long.
Visit www.GetSeizureSmart.org/ and take the interactive quiz to find out what you know about epilepsy and seizures. What you learn could save a life.
The Honorable Tony Coelho was first elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1978 from California’s Central Valley. He ascended the House Leadership ranks quickly, serving first as Chairperson of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee from 1981 to 1986, and then as the first-ever elected Majority Whip from 1987 to 1989. As Majority Whip, the third ranking position in the House leadership, Mr. Coelho was responsible for securing votes needed to pass the Democratic legislative agenda. While in the House, Mr. Coelho, who has epilepsy, authored the Americans with Disabilities Act, widely recognized as the most important piece of civil rights legislation in the last 30 years.
Mr. Coelho’s former and current business affiliations include service on a number of corporate boards. In addition to his work in the private sector, Mr. Coelho continues to devote much of his time to public service. He is currently the Interim CEO of the Epilepsy Foundation
We are fortunate that our government is taking a proactive stance in learning more about epilepsy and its implications on society by funding an Institute of Medicine study to examine public health issues surrounding epilepsy and seizures. The results of this study, which the Epilepsy Foundation is supporting with information and resources, will recommend priorities so we can better meet the needs of people living with epilepsy, including caregivers. The study will look at a broader picture of epilepsy, focusing on the whole spectrum of related disorders, as well as many of its co-existing conditions, such as depression, anxiety, migraines and autism.
Last year, more than one million people got seizure smart, and this year the goal is five million people. By raising awareness about this condition, we are helping people with epilepsy live better lives. Epilepsy is a complex disorder, but it should not be an unknown quantity – it should not be overlooked. National Epilepsy Awareness Month and the Get Seizure Smart campaign will bring attention to a disorder that has been misunderstood for too long.
Visit www.GetSeizureSmart.org/ and take the interactive quiz to find out what you know about epilepsy and seizures. What you learn could save a life.
The Honorable Tony Coelho was first elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1978 from California’s Central Valley. He ascended the House Leadership ranks quickly, serving first as Chairperson of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee from 1981 to 1986, and then as the first-ever elected Majority Whip from 1987 to 1989. As Majority Whip, the third ranking position in the House leadership, Mr. Coelho was responsible for securing votes needed to pass the Democratic legislative agenda. While in the House, Mr. Coelho, who has epilepsy, authored the Americans with Disabilities Act, widely recognized as the most important piece of civil rights legislation in the last 30 years.
Mr. Coelho’s former and current business affiliations include service on a number of corporate boards. In addition to his work in the private sector, Mr. Coelho continues to devote much of his time to public service. He is currently the Interim CEO of the Epilepsy Foundation
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