What's New in Central & South Texas???

Strike Out Epilepsy Bowl-A-Thon

Thank you to all who came out and supported EFCST at our annual "Hawaiian Luau" Bowl-A-Thon!!  Your generosity and support mean so much to us and to those we serve!  We had a blast and hope you did as well.  Want to see pictures of our fun-filled event?  Click here!

Young Adult Social Support Group

Are you a teen or young adult between the ages of 16 and 24?

Are you affected by or interested in Epilepsy?

Are there topics/subjects that you would like to talk to others about that perhaps your parents/family just won't understand?

Would you like to join a social support group with others your age that may be going through the exact same obstacles you're facing as well?

If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, please join our new Young Adult Social Support Group!  We meet every 2nd Tuesday of each month, from 5pm - 7pm in our office.  For questions or more information, please call Jennifer at (210) 653-5353 or email her at jennifer@efcst.org.

Tener epilepsia o el cuidar de alguien con epilepsia puede ser muy competitivo. Los problemas practicos de la vida del diario - de seguro, lost trabajos, y las asistencia medica - pueden parecerse a veces angustiantes.  El conversar con otras personas con epilepsia puede ayudarle.  Estos grupos estan abiertos para todos.

Los grupos de apoyo de la epilepsia pueden ser:

• Un lugar para hablar de las ediciones que se refieren a usted, con la gente que sabe de donde el su venir.

• Una audiencia en el cual para dar y para recibir la informacion sobre epilepsia y tratamientos.

• Comparta el apoyo y el animo, informese sobre la legislacion, la investigacion y los recursos.

***Having problems logging in after you've already registered and have received your confirmation email?  Don't worry, the same thing happened to us!  And....we THINK we've figured it out!!***

Once on the Talk About It site, click on "The Promise" that's at the top of the page, then click on the RED "Go" button, then voila! - you see the LogIn Tab to the right of the screen!!

If you need help or want someone to "walk" you through it, please give us a call at (210) 653-5353 or toll-free at (888) 606-5353.

PARENTS & CAREGIVERS

Please visit our National Office's newly designed website: www.epilspeyandmychild.org.  The website includes a variety of useful information for parents, families, & caregivers on epilepsy, its impacts on the family, and educational aids to assist the family in caring for a child with epilepsy.  Some topics of interest include fears and concerns, treatment options, back-to-school safety, and first-aid information.  So be sure to check it out!!!

The American Academy of Neurology and the American Epilepsy Society have released new guidelines about pregnancy in women with epilepsy.  Published in the April 28, 2009 issue of the journal Neurology, the guidelines provide clinicians with several recommendations that can help decrease the risk of a complicated pregnancy.  To read more, click here.

Epilepsy Foundation Central and South Texas

Epilepsy is one of the major health problems of our nation. More than 3 million Americans have epilepsy/seizure disorders, yet it remains one of our most misunderstood and unknown health issues. About half of the people with epilepsy have continuing seizures even with treatment. Many face problems in educational attainment, employment, transportation, and social interactions.The Epilepsy Foundation is a not-for-profit human service agency addressing the needs of persons and their families affected by epilepsy, seizure disorder, and related disabilities including traumatic and acquired brain injury, stroke, and developmental disability. The Foundation serves individuals and families without regard to race, color, sex, age, or national origin.

We are a non-profit, charitable agency, designated as a 501 (c) 3 organization by the Internal Revenue Service. Donations to the Foundation are tax deductible as allowed by law.The Epilepsy Foundation Central & South Texas is an affiliate of the Epilepsy Foundation National Office, located in Landover, Maryland.

Our Mission

"Serving the Needs of People Affected by Epilepsy and Seizure Disorders"

The Epilepsy Foundation Central & South Texas will ensure that people with seizures are able to participate in all life experiences; and will prevent, control and cure epilepsy through services, education, advocacy and research.

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The Epilepsy Foundation Central & South Texas (EFCST) was founded in 1994 to improve the quality of life of the over 119,000 adults and children with epilepsy and/or seizure disorders in the 79 counties of Central and South Texas. EFCST was created to put an end to the myths and misunderstandings about epilepsy while helping individuals with epilepsy to improve their quality of life and the opportunity to participate in all life experiences.

Since EFCST was founded, thousands of people with epilepsy and their families have received information or have benefited from the comprehensive medical, educational, and social, services offered by EFCST. Epilepsy affects all aspects of a person's life. Learning to cope with and manage epilepsy takes a coordinated effort by family, friends, teachers, and managers in the workplace. All the Foundation's programs are designed to help people reach their full potential and enhance their sense of self worth.

EFCST staff provides a wide variety of services to persons with epilepsy, their families and the community. At the Epilepsy Foundation, one of our primary goals is to provide accessible, current information about epilepsy/seizure disorders to individuals with epilepsy, parents, family members and friends. We also provide information about epilepsy to professionals in the community through our in-service training programs. Our professionally trained staff is available to answer questions about epilepsy and its related concerns.

Explore our site to learn about our Programs and Services-- and find out how you can make a difference.

What is Epilepsy?

Epilepsy  sometimes called a seizure disorder, or (SEIZURES) is a chronic unpredictable neurological condition characterized by intermittent electrical and chemical disturbances in the brain that cause seizures which affect awareness, movement, or sensation. Epilepsy is the most prevalent serious neurological disorder of childhood, and second only to stroke as a condition that can strike at any stage of life.

Epilepsy is not contagious.
Epilepsy is not mental illness.
Epilepsy is not mental retardation.

Who has Epilepsy?

Epilepsy does not discriminate. It can affect children, adults, seniors, men and woman, people of all races, religions, ethnic backgrounds, and social classes at any time.

• 3 million people in the U.S. have Epilepsy. That's 1 in every 100 people. 1 in 10 people will experience a seizure at some point in their lives.
• 50% of all new cases occur before the age of 25.
• Three in 100 people will develop Epilepsy by the age of 75.
• Every hour 20 Americans are diagnosed as having Epilepsy and 181,000 new cases are diagnosed in the United States each year.

Did You Know?

• Epilepsy is the third most common neurological disorder behind stroke and Alzheimer's disease.
• In 70% of cases the cause is unknown.
• More people have seizure disorders (Epilepsy) than Parkinson's Disease, Cerebral Palsy, Multiple Sclerosis and Muscular Dystrophy combined! Yet, none of these well-known diseases carry the powerful stigma associated with Epilepsy.
• Surveys of people with epilepsy show that their greatest concerns are societal expectations (stigma, discrimination, negative attitudes) coupled with issues of transportation, unemployment, and health & safety concerns.
• Many people still believe that you should place something in the mouth of someone having a seizure.

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  Do you have a story to tell us?

  Has your prescription ever been changed from brand name to generic or from one generic manufacturer to another without your knowledge?

• Has your medicine ever looked different when you picked it up? (Different color, shape, size, etc)

• Did the pharmacist tell you that it was exactly the same as what you had received before?

• Did you have an adverse reaction due to your medication being “changed”?

• Has your school-aged child been prescribed Diastat?

• If your answer is YES to any of these questions, we want to hear from you!! Please email: staff@efcst.org and tell us your story!

Help Us Keep In Touch With You!

The Epilepsy Foundation Central & South Texas & the National Epilepsy Foundation sends both electronic and "snail mail" mailings to provide updates on epilepsy research, Foundation activities, and other news. To make sure you do not miss any news, please login or create an account to sign up for our newsletter & e-Newsletter mailings.

How to Contact Us

Office Hours:
Monday-Friday, 8:00am to 5:00pm

Address:
10615 Perrin Beitel Road, Suite 602
San Antonio, Texas 78217
Phone: (210) 653-5353
Toll Free: (888) 606-5353 (toll free only from 79 county service area)
Fax: (210) 653-5355
E-mail: staff@efcst.org

Driving Directions

From Loop 410 the Epilepsy Foundation is located North of the Main Post Office at Perrin Beitel & Wurzbach Parkway. We are in the Perrin Oaks Garden Office complex. Download driving directions from your area to our office on yahoo maps.

Thank you for visiting!

We try to update our site regularly and hope you will save our web site as a "favorite place" to return to often whether you need assistance for yourself or a loved one. Your contribution of financial support will help us help others.

The Epilepsy Foundation Central & South Texas is a Community Health Charities Member Agency.

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