It was a courageous Grade 3 student who created Epilepsy Day and convinced her school to wear purple to support the cause.
Until last year 10-year-old Cassidy Megan of the Lower Mainland kept silent about her seizures caused by the disease, fearing the reaction of her classmates.
But after an education presentation at her school on the subject, she began to talk about her seizures to children who were interested. She encouraged them to wear purple on March 26 during Global Empowerment Day to raise awareness and support children and their families affected by the disease.
Epilepsy affects about one in 100 people, including about 40,000 in B.C. and about 300,000 in Canada. Despite the numbers being greater than multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy and Parkinson's disease combined, many epileptics still face barriers due to lack of awareness.
Canadian Epilepsy Alliance's B.C. member agency is seeking ambassadors to help promote awareness about the disease. Call Laura Yake, executive director, at 1-604-853-7399.
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