Epilepsy Foundation of Virginia

Programs & Goals

Programs

PROMOTE AWARENESS about epilepsy and PROVIDE ASSISTANCE  to those with the disorder. The Epilepsy Foundation of Virginia programs include four helplines statewide. There are awareness days bi-annually.

There is a continuous effort to dispel the myths surrounding epilepsy. One of those myths is that persons with epilepsy stay away from work more frequently than people without epilepsy. The opposite is true. Training for employers are part of efforts to dispel this myth.

Moreover we give emergency assistance and transportation.


Tidewater and Northern Virginia Offices

The new Tidewater and NOVA offices started their own initiatives. HOPE training and a summer camp are just a few. 

We do a lot of advocacy. The Epilepsy Foundation of Virginia has been active in advocating for education and local guidelines about helmets, which prevent head injury, the largest known cause of epilepsy. Individual advocacy has occurred in employment disputes and misunderstandings about epilepsy in schools. System wide advocacy has occurred about the different co-payments for drugs with some insurance companies. State Senators such as Deeds, O’Bannon and Lucas have been active in several radio and TV talks and events.


Results

  • We accomplished a major Use a Helmet: Prevent Epilepsy campaign among fourth graders. Schools participated in a drawing contest and winning children came to Richmond, has a tour of the capitol and presented their pictures to the Governor's wife in the mansion. They also received prizes and got lunch. This drawing contest was accompanied by training in schools.
  • We trained 500 emergency physicians statewide on new medications. Drs. Huff and Fountain from the University of Virginia and DR. Frank from CHKD were instrumental in that. 
  • We had more than 10 radio and TV interviews about epilepsy in Virginia.


Objectives

  • Have a camp for children with epilepsy.
  • Enable all with uncontrolled epilepsy to have access to specialized epilepsy care.
  • Update and complete information on exercise and epilepsy.