November is National Epilepsy Awareness Month

Get the WORD Out!

Posted: October 30, 2003

November is National Epilepsy Awareness Month, and 2003 marks the 34th anniversary of this important designation. There are nearly 2.5 million Americans with epilepsy. For many, the biggest problem they face, besides seizures, is society's negative attitudes about the condition. Each year the Epilepsy Foundation presents a public education campaign about seizure disorders, first aid, acceptance and prevention.

Since 2000, the Foundation has joined with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to promote and encourage respect for young people with epilepsy, who are especially vulnerable to prejudice and ill treatment on the part of their peers. The Entitled to Respect campaign is for youth ages 10 to 18, and for everyone in their lives -- including family, friends, teachers, and mentors. The Foundation and the CDC have designed materials to promote acceptance and esteem within the school community. One of the central themes of Entitled to Respect is that “tweens” and teens with epilepsy can live fulfilling, even exceptional, lives.

The Foundation has teamed with celebrities for the Entitled to Respect campaign, including the wildly popular ‘NSYNC and television and film star Ashton Kutcher. This year we welcome Grammy Award winning R&B singer Monica to the list of famous entertainers helping the Epilepsy Month campaign to 'Get the WORD Out' about epilepsy and respect. Monica has recorded public service announcements (PSAs) to be played on radio stations across the county. These PSAs will be aired as part of the Radio One Network's new L.I.F.E. ('Life Improvement for Everyone') community service project.

Young people with epilepsy are also helping this year’s Epilepsy Month campaign. They’ll be helping to raise awareness and support for their peers with the Get the WORD Out! contest. The Epilepsy Foundation, including its nationwide network of affiliates, is sponsoring this contest, encouraging young people to express what they think "respect" is all about. Participants can write a song, essay, or poem; perform spoken word; create a drawing and more. Four Grand Prize winners will receive computers with one-year free Internet access.

During November, in addition to conducting the Get the WORD Out! contest, local Epilepsy Foundation volunteers will be making presentations across the country to help dispel myths about epilepsy, teach proper seizure first aid and improve the quality of life for young people with epilepsy.