Message from the Chair

By Joyce Bender, Chair of the Epilepsy Foundation

As you know, November is National Epilepsy Awareness Month and to me that is so important because until we continue to talk about it and not be ashamed, we will not get epilepsy out of the shadows. People need to understand that when you have seizures, that means you have epilepsy. It’s an electrical surge to the brain. I am not ashamed I have epilepsy; it is just part of who I am. I tell everyone epilepsy means I have too much firepower, because that’s really what it is. I love this month because I can tell the world that I have epilepsy. I hope that more and more people with epilepsy will stand up and get the word out. If you are one of those people who has been ashamed, let this be the time that you start talking about it.

This is our caregiver’s issue, which focuses on stories, tips and resources for caregivers of people with epilepsy. It’s important to remember that whether you’re taking care of a child, adult or a senior living with epilepsy, that is a person who needs to be treated with dignity and respect at all times. Also keep in mind, you need to treat yourself well, too! We went directly to caregivers of people with epilepsy and asked for their advice on how they cope with this enormous—but often rewarding—responsibility.

I was heartened to see President Obama recently signed the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr., Hate Crimes Prevention Act, which includes protections for people with disabilities. Studies indicate people with disabilities are one of the top groups targeted by violence. Whenever you do something to a person with a disability because you don’t like them, that is the same as doing that to a person of color, or a woman, or an elderly person. Hate is hate and we need to put a stop to it. It should be justice for all, not for some.

Finally, I am so proud and excited that a reporter for epilepsyUSA won an Excellence in Epilepsy Journalism Award! I want all of our readers to know about this honor. That was great news to end the year on. Now we can all focus on the fourth annual National Walk for Epilepsy. I’ll see you on the Mall in D.C. in March!