What's New in Central & South Texas?

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Happy Summer!

We are busting at the seams to let you know about all the fantastic events coming up this summer!!!  Epilepsy makes a huge impact on the lives of patients, family, friends, and caregivers. Living with epilepsy is demanding.  The social stigma and isolation caused by epilepsy can have a greater impact on quality of life than the actual seizures themselves.  Come and get educated about the network of people who want to help you live life to the fullest.  Summer seminars will provide you with the opportunity to share common experiences, meet other people with epilepsy, and learn something new about this common medical condition.  You are not alone; We can help! Join us for one of the upcoming sessions or events!

Need to get AWAY a few hours this SUMMER?
Join EFCST for Summer FUN Days!

Do you have a child (9-12 years old) that would like to get away for fun activities a few hours twice a month? Mom, do you need a few hours to run errands,get a mani/pedi, or maybe just to take a well deserved nap? We can help!! With the help of our awesome staff and volunteers we are hosting 6 free "KiDS DAY OUT" 1/2 day sessions this summer. We have a jam packed morning of fun for your child. Interested?? Contact Elizabeth in our office at (210) 653-5353 or atelizabeth@efcst.org. Registration is a must! No drop ins please :) For more information click here.

Epilepsy Foundation Central and South Texas

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.

Our Mission

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.

EFCST is 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.

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

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What is Epilepsy?

Epilepsysometimes 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.

Lack of knowledge about proper seizure first aid exposes affected individuals to injury from unnecessary restraint and from objects needlessly forced into their mouths.Of major chronic medical conditions, epilepsy is among the least understood, even though one in three adults knows someone with the disorder. Epilepsy is not a single entity, but a family of more than 40 syndromes that affects more than 3 million people in the U.S.and 50 million worldwide.

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.  Epilepsy is the third most common neurological disorder in the United States after Alzheimer’s disease and stroke.It is equal in prevalence to cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s disease combined. 

• More than 3 million people in the U.S. and more than 400,000 in Texas have Epilepsy. 
• 1 in 10 people will experience a seizure at some point in their lives.
• This year another 200,000 people in the U.S. will be diagnosed with epilepsy
• 30 to 40% of people with epilepsy are severely affected and continue to have seizures despite treatment

Did You Know?

• In 70% of cases the cause is unknown.
• 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. 
• Epilepsy strikes most often among the very young and the very old, although anyone can get it at any age.
•  In the U.S., it currently affects more than 326,000 children under the age of fifteen.
• The number of cases in the elderly is beginning to soar as the baby boom generation approaches retirement age. Currently more than 570,000 adults age 65 and above in the U.S. have the condition.  

Cost

Epilepsy imposes an annual economic burden of $15.5 billion on the nation in associated health care costs and losses in employment, wages and productivity.  Epilepsy and its treatment produce a health-related quality of life—measured in days of activity limitation, pain, depression, anxiety, reduced vitality and insufficient sleep or rest—similar to arthritis, heart problems, diabetes and cancer.

Epilepsy and Death

The mortality rate among people with epilepsy is two to three times higher—and the risk of sudden death is 24 times greater—than that of the general population.  This year an estimated 25,000 to 50,000 will die of seizures and related causes, including status epilepticus (non-stop seizures), sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP), drowning and other accidents.

Stigma

The leading non-medical problem confronting people with epilepsy is discrimination in education, employment and social acceptance.  Some people with epilepsy do not even know they have it because they’ve been told they have a seizure disorder instead. This unfortunate euphemism arose because of the stigma associated with epilepsy, a stigma that the Epilepsy Foundation and others have fought to dispel.

Diagnosis and Treatment

On average, it is 14 years between the onset of epilepsy and surgical intervention for seizures uncontrollable by medication. American physicians may be unaware of the safety and efficacy of epilepsy surgery, making it among the most underutilized of proven, effective therapeutic interventions in the field of medicine.  Lack of knowledge about proper seizure first aid exposes affected individuals to injury from unnecessary restraint and from objects needlessly forced into their mouths.

Co-Morbidity

Epilepsy is prevalent among those with other disabilities, such as autism (25.5 percent), cerebral palsy (13 percent), Down’s syndrome (13.6 percent), and mental retardation (25.5 percent)—while 40 percent of people who have both cerebral palsy and mental retardation also have epilepsy.  The association between epilepsy and depression is especially strong. More than one of every three persons with epilepsy are also affected by the mood disorder, and people with a history of depression are 3 to 7 times more likely to develop epilepsy than the average person.

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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: Click here

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.