Epilepsy Awareness Week

Who has epilepsy?

Every year National Epilepsy Week is celebrated to raise awareness about epilepsy (a neurological condition characterised by unusual electrical activity in the brain). Even though it is the most common neurological condition in the world, it is still very much misunderstood. This year, National Epilepsy Week will be celebrated from 16 – 22 June.

Although South Africa has ratified international treaties, established various policies and guidelines and recognised the right to non-discrimination on the basis of disability in the Constitution, the rights of people with epilepsy and other disabilities are frequently violated in domestic, community and employment contexts.

The saddening fact is that people with epilepsy mostly experience the effects of stigma and discrimination from people that know about their epilepsy and seizures – therefore people close to them. If you didn’t know about a person’s epilepsy you would treat him/her exactly the same as everybody else?

This raises the question: Who has epilepsy? Do you really know?

The main aim of National Epilepsy Week is to raise awareness about epilepsy to dispel the myths, social stigmas and discrimination attached to the condition. People are considered to have less value to their community and are seen as only dependent on welfare. Together with a sense of vulnerability when it comes to seizures, this view places persons with epilepsy at severe risk.

Marina Clarke, National Director of Epilepsy South Africa, says “National Epilepsy Week focuses on educating the public about the rights of people with epilepsy. We decided on this theme to encourage people to question their own attitudes towards people living with epilepsy.”

For more information about Epilepsy South Africa and National Epilepsy Week, contact the organisation on 0860 EPILEPSY (0860 374 537) or visit www.epilepsy.org.za.