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eVisa: Faneca's Fans: Football & FunFor several dozen youngsters in Western Pennsylvania, the end of August was marked not with wistfulness at the end of summer, but with anticipation of a special treat. Pittsburgh Steelers All-Pro guard Alan Faneca invited a group of kids and their families from the local Epilepsy Foundation to visit Steelers training camp. The group appeared at camp decked in Steelers colored gold T-shirts with black lettered "Faneca's Fans," and received star treatment after the practice, with autograph signings, pictures and cameraderie. Faneca was joined by several other teammates from the Super Bowl-winning team. Faneca, who has had epilepsy since he was 15, has not let anything stop him from personal and professional success. He has gotten involved with the Epilepsy Foundation and is committed to erasing the stigma that often marks the condition. "A lot of kids are told not to do things and every situation is different but I think I'm a symbol to show them that you can still do things and there are possibilities out there," he commented to Pittsburgh's KDKA News in a television interview last month. Staying ActiveResearch suggests that seizures are actually less likely to occur when a person with epilepsy is engaged in physical activities than when bored or inactive. Living a normal life inevitably involves some risks. This is true for all people, not just those with epilepsy. Exercise is a necessary part of a healthy lifestyle and, indeed, may improve seizure control. If there might be any special concerns or individual precautions, these can be discussed with the physician. In most cases, a person with epilepsy can take part in sports or other vigorous activities, depending on the degree of seizure control, the type of sport, and the physician's recommendation. Some physicians recommend avoiding contact sports or activities where sudden loss off consciousness could lead to injury. Research suggests that people are likely to have fewer seizures when actively occupied than when they are bored or inactive. » For Teens: Questions & Answers About Sports » For Parents: Dealing with Risk This eVisa is a publication of the Epilepsy Foundation and is made possible by an unrestricted educational grant by:
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