Awareness campaign for Epilepsy held in Moddefontein today

Approximately 50 million people worldwide have epilepsy, making it one of the most common neurological diseases.

According to Epilepsy SA, this medical condition affects 1 out of 100 people in South Africa, translating to about half a million people.

GladAfrica Foundation has partnered with Epilepsy South Africa Gauteng Branch for their fourth annual Epilepsy Awareness Walk on February 17 at Taroko Trail Park (Modderfontein).

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The event will start at 06:30 with a 5km and 11km walk.

They are calling on corporates, communities, families and friends to join in for a fun-filled day to raise awareness about epilepsy.

The awareness walk will be a collaboration with the University of Venda, Fat Cats Athletics Club, Chillies Running Club, and NGO Connect, sponsored by Oziel Sportswear, Mix FM and Switch Energy Drink.

Tickets are available online.

The foundation said epilepsy is often surrounded by prejudice and myth.

Epilepsy is described as a chronic disorder of the brain characterized by recurring seizures, which are brief episodes of involuntary movement of the body sometimes accompanied by loss of consciousness.

The disorder spans all age groups and to onlookers, it can instil fear, prejudice and discrimination.

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People with epilepsy are sometimes regarded as “being chosen” or “being possessed,” depending on the prevailing popular belief, this can delay treatment and worsen society’s attitudes towards epileptic people, said the foundation.

Despite the significant clinical and therapeutic progress of the last century, people with epilepsy continue to be stigmatised.

To improve the quality of life of people with epilepsy worldwide, considerable efforts are needed to educate all sectors of society and the general public, as well as the families of people living with epilepsy.

The foundation and the University of Venda have launched a research project called GladAfrica Epilepsy Research Project to assess the prevalence of epilepsy in rural communities in Limpopo and Mpumalanga and to develop response mechanisms.

The foundation has, over the years, implemented various social upliftment initiatives with a focus on sport and recreation, education, personal hygiene and health.

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“This initiative undertaking is one of the many efforts by the foundation to continuously seek ways to empower the disadvantaged communities by providing them with information and tools that can improve their lives,” said the GladAfrica Foundation chairperson, Noel Mashaba.

Mashaba, who is living with epilepsy, said, “There is a need to explain epilepsy in the medical sense to dispel myths and misconceptions that exist in our communities.

“In most instances, epilepsy is regarded as a disability instead of a health condition.

“There is a need to destigmatise epilepsy and raise awareness on its causes and medication options applicable to different types of epilepsy,” he said.