Epilepsy is a poorly understood condition, despite the fact that it is the 4th most common neurological disease. Statistics show that 1 in 26 people will develop epilepsy in their lifetime. Although epilepsy is prevalent, public awareness is low, and many people are unaware of the symptoms and signs of epilepsy and how it impacts sufferers.
November is Epilepsy Awareness Month. The aim of this campaign is to get people talking about epilepsy and raise awareness of a condition that affects thousands of people across the world.
The reality is that epilepsy can affect anyone, and learning about epilepsy and Epilepsy Awareness Month equips people with the knowledge and insight to support campaigns and assist those who display symptoms of seizures.
How to celebrate and get involved: What you can do.
There are myriad ways to lend support to Epilepsy Awareness Month. Events take place all over the world to raise awareness of epilepsy and generate funds for charities that support epilepsy sufferers.
From sponsored walks and bake sales to dress-down days at work, there are plenty of ways individuals, communities, businesses, and schools can celebrate the event.
The colour purple is also commonly associated with epilepsy, so wearing purple clothes and decorating rooms and public spaces with purple banners and balloons is also a great idea.
Another brilliant idea is to get involved in courses and workshops that provide information about the condition and basic first aid training. Many people wouldn’t know what to do if they came across a person having a seizure in the street, and one of the most crucial aspects of the campaign is to encourage the public to learn how to react in this scenario.
Cities, towns and small communities can celebrate Epilepsy Awareness Month by lighting up landmarks in purple. Social media is also an excellent platform for sharing and liking posts about epilepsy and generating a buzz around fundraising events.
