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International Epilepsy Day – 13 February 2024

International Epilepsy Day seeks to raise awareness and educate the general public on the true facts about epilepsy and the urgent need for improved treatment, better care, and greater investment in research.

  • 65 million people around the world live w/ #epilepsy
  • 3.4+ million people in the U.S. live w/ #epilepsy
  • 1 in 26 people in the U.S. will develop epilepsy at some point in their lifetime
  • 4 to 10 out of 1,000 people on earth live w/ active #seizures at any one time
  • 150,000 new cases of #epilepsy are diagnosed in the U.S. each year
  • One-third of people w/ #epilepsy live w/ uncontrolled #seizures because no available treatment works for them
  • For 6 out of 10 people w/ #epilepsy the cause is unknown
  • Each year, more than 1 in 1,000 people with epilepsy die from sudden unexpected death in epilepsy, known as SUDEP.
  • 4 out of 10 people w/ #epilepsy in the industrialized world do not receive appropriate treatment
  • 8 out of 10 people w/ #epilepsy in developing nations do not receive appropriate treatment

 

Source: Text & Image: https://www.epilepsy.com/volunteer/spreading-awarness/international-epilepsy-day#

World Cerebral Palsy Day – 6 October

About World Cerebral Palsy Day

Cerebral palsy is one of the least understood disabilities and people with cerebral palsy are often out of sight, out of mind and out of options in communities around the world. This needs to change.

World Cerebral Palsy Day on 6 October was created by the Cerebral Palsy Alliance in 2012 and now brings together people living with cerebral palsy, their families, allies, supporters and organisations across more than 100 countries. All with the aim to ensure a future in which children and adults with cerebral palsy have the same rights, access and opportunities as anyone else in our society.

About Cerebral Palsy

There are more than 17 million people across the world living with cerebral palsy. Another 350 million people are closely connected to a child or adult with cerebral palsy. It is the most common physical disability in childhood. Cerebral palsy is a permanent disability that affects movement. Its impact can range from a weakness in one hand, to almost a complete lack of voluntary movement.

It is a complex disability:

  • 1 in 4 children with cerebral palsy cannot talk
  • 1 in 4 cannot walk
  • 1 in 2 have an intellectual disability
  • 1 in 4 have epilepsy.

Cerebral palsy is a lifelong disability and there is no known cure.

 

Source: Text: https://worldcpday.org/   Image: iStock

International Epilepsy Day – 8 February

International Epilepsy Day is marked in order to recognise that epilepsy is an illness and spread the message that people who suffer from it can be successful.

It is estimated that one in every 100 people suffers from epilepsy. Despite it being a recognised neurological disorder, there is still a lot of stigma and discrimination associated with epilepsy.

Epilepsy South Africa’s Gauteng Director, Magdaleen Kruger, says many people succeed in life despite living with the condition.  

“It is not a mental illness. It is not a psychiatric disorder and it is not infectious or contagious. It is a normal illness of the brain characterised by unusual electrical activity in the brain. People who suffer from epilepsy can live a full life if their condition is accepted as an illness.”

Source: Text: SABC Image: International League Against Epilepsy

International Epilepsy Day – 8 February

WebsiteLogoInternational Epilepsy Day is a special event which promotes awareness of epilepsy in more than 120 countries each year. Every year on the second Monday of February people join together to celebrate and highlight the problems faced by people with epilepsy, their families and carers.

This is a day for everyone, no matter where you are, no matter how small your group or large your area, no matter whether you focus on the medical or the social aspects of the disease. We want you to help us celebrate International Epilepsy Day! Let’s speak with one global voice.

The Day is a joint initiative by the International Bureau for Epilepsy (IBE) and the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE).

The recurring theme for International Epilepsy Day – Epilepsy is more than Seizures – highlights the fact that, for many people, the stigma and discrimination faced by people with epilepsy, can be more difficult to overcome than the seizures themselves. Despite the fact at up to 70% of people with epilepsy will have their seizures successfully controlled, in the general public there is still fear and ignorance on what epilepsy really is. An international day focussed on epilepsy, will help to raise awareness and educate both the general public on the true facts about epilepsy, and the urgent need for improved treatment and care, and greater investment in research.

Source: Text & Image: International Epilepsy Day and International Bureau for Epilepsy