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Epilepsy Action Emma says:I have only recently become involved with this charity and I realise it is also the only non- animal charity on my list! Epilepsy can be a very isolating condition and I have treated numerous animals with the condition too. Just from my experience with animals I can see how owners find it difficult and shocking to cope with. The animals, of course, have no idea what happens to them and suffer none of the embarrassment that people with epilepsy often endure. Epilepsy Action works with and for those who have the condition and also those who are indirectly affected by it to increase awareness and understanding. The charity organises sponsored walks all over the country every year among other challenges. Originally I was approached to participate in the annual Ben Nevis Challenge. However, I had to concede that I am nowhere near fit enough to pull that off this year so I readily agreed to take part in a sponsored walk and help promote them. This way, of course, my faithful companions Pan and Badger can join in too! Keep an eye out this summer for your nearest walk and join in. If this isn’t your cup of tea why not contact the charity to find out what else is going on or other ways you can help? Epilepsy Action says: The Out In The Open Walks are an annual event that Epilepsy Action supporters organise to coincide with National Epilepsy Week. In 2004 more than 50 walks took place across the country raising over £40,000. In 2005 National Epilepsy Week begins on 15th May and we are hoping that, with Emma’s support, we will get people “Out In The Open” with their pets and the walks will achieve even greater success in 2005. Over 90% of our income comes from voluntary donations and this is crucial in enabling us to provide and expand our services. Around 440,000 people in the UK have epilepsy (1 in 133 people) and the extent to which this affects their daily lives can vary quite significantly. Epilepsy is the second most common neurological condition after migraine. The main focus of the work of Epilepsy Action is the provision of an advice and information Freephone Helpline (0808 800 5050). Our trained and experienced Helpline advisors provide advice and information on many aspects of epilepsy; from medical care and treatment to driving, insurance and community care. Last year nearly 25,000 people used our Free advice and information helpline, the majority of whom, were people with epilepsy; Many newly diagnosed or parents of children with the condition all called the helpline for confidential advice and information that they cannot find anywhere else. We also produce a wide range of information leaflets, books and audiovisual materials on epilepsy issues in the UK. All of these are available to people who use the helpline, with the majority being issued free of charge. It costs £7000 to deal with the 500 enquiries we receive every week so the funds that we receive are vital for us to be able to continue to support those who live with epilepsy by We are continuing to develop our other services aiming to improve the provision of epilepsy services throughout the UK through various methods: We continue to fund the first year of Sapphire Nurse placements, which provide services that help people cope with the medical, social and practical implications that epilepsy can have on their lives. At present we have helped to place over 60, Sapphire Nurses in hospitals, and so far nearly every NHS Trust has taken over the funding at the end of the first year following the success of the scheme. An increasing number of people are accessing information about epilepsy via our website www.epilepsy.org.uk, with around 60,000 people per month now visiting the site. BEA-Connect is our on-line community for people with epilepsy or their carers. BEA-Connect offers members a safe environment where they can chat to on-line friends, send e-mails and join in discussion forums. Epilepsy Action also has an extensive network of local voluntary branches throughout the UK, which provide local support to people with epilepsy, their family, friends and professional carers. Our national network of accredited volunteers provides valuable one to one support and advice and information for people with epilepsy. They also give presentations and visit schools, colleges, care homes and employers to talk about epilepsy. |  |
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