Recent Happenings:___7.25.08_______________

Epilepsy Classroom Goes Live

The Epilepsy Classroom is a brand new initiative launched by EFA to provide complete, accurate, and useful information to deliver epilepsy education in the classroom setting.

The site contains such classroom resources as Lesson Plans, Fact Sheets, Seizure First Aid and more.  Click here to see the site. 

Here is an example of the Classroom Resources page.

 

There is a high likelihood that at some point in your career as an educator, a seizure will occur in front of you. Would you know how to respond? How would you address your classroom if they witnessed a fellow student having a seizure?

The following tools can help you and your school be prepared.

• What to do during a seizure
• How to address a seizure with your class
• How to inform parents
• Resources for your school
• The social impact of epilepsy

 

September 6, 2008
Slater Memorial Park
Pawtucket, RI

Register Here

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Sign up for our ECommunity and talk to others in the community living with Epilepsy.

This Interest Group of eCommunities provides a serious place where people facing issues and concerns about living and dealing with seizure disorders or epilepsy can meet and exchange ideas, support and experience.  Topics include "Parents Helping Parents," "Teen Group," "Help Forum," "The Lounge" and more.  Click here to enter.

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EFMRI Testifies for all inclusive Preferred Drug List in New Hampshire

..."The Epilepsy Foundation has been and will continue to be opposed to cost containment policies that limit the access of patients to anti-epileptic drugs.  Currently the FDA allows for a broad therapeutic range to exist within and between medications, generic to generic, brand name to brand name and brand to generic.  The current method used for patients when prescribing anticonvulsant drugs can be, more often than not, trial and error;  meaning frequent prescription changes and or mixing medications while observing blood levels and side effects to ensure the proper dosages to control a patient's seizures.  By limiting the drugs available to doctors for prescription, the patient is put in the position of having a controllable condition that is left unpredictable by restrictive drug formularies...."

Read the Full Testimony.

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Epilepsy Awareness Wristbands

 
"Not Another Moment Lost to Seizures"

Help us raise Epilepsy Awareness and bring the condition into the social dialogue.  The red wristband comes in one size and reads "Epilepsy Foundation MA & RI" and "not another moment lost to seizures" along with a light yellow flame on opposing sides. 

To donate to the Foundation and purchase a batch of 12, click here. 

All funds will go to back to the community through education, support and advocacy.

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Senate Bill 1296
An Act to Protect Epilepsy Patients

"A pharmacist may not interchange an anti-epileptic drug or formulation of an anti-epileptic drug, brand or generic, for the treatment of seizures (epilepsy) without prior notification of and the signed informed consent of such interchange from the prescribing physician and patient, or patient's parent, legal guardian or spouse of such person."

The American Academy of Neurology states: "Massachusetts Senate Bill 1296 would prevent pharmacists from substituting one AED for another without the informed consent of the prescribing doctor and patient. Substitution of AEDs can have devastating consequences. This bill would protect Massachusetts physicians’ autonomy to make treatment decisions for their patients with a seizure disorder."

Senator Moore sponsored the bill in the summer of 2007. The bill needs our help and support to pass. Please let your member of Congress know that you support full patient, doctor and pharmaceutical disclosure. Seizures disorders are inherently unpredictable and their impetus enigmatic. Those living with epilepsy live in a constant state of unpredictability. The only thing they can rely on is the trust they have in their physicians and in their prescription medications. A third party cannot be allowed to enter into this delicate balance dealing with such a sensitive condition.

For more information, please contact us at 617-506-6041 or by email.

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We Take Cars Too!

Are you thinking of selling or trading in that car, boat or RV? Why not donate it instead? By donating your car you could earn a charitable income tax deduction and help make a difference in the lives of people with epilepsy.

We will make all of the arrangement to pick up the vehicle at no cost to you. We can arrange to pick up most vehicles anywhere in the continental United States and Hawaii. We will also provide you with the necessary paperwork so you can claim a charitable income tax deduction.

For more information please call 877-EF-Cars-7 or 877-322-2777.

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