Among numerous other activities, Epilepsy South Africa is marking the 2012 National Epilepsy Week (18 to 24 June) with a fund raising drive on bidorbuy.co.za.

Donate R50 on bidorbuy and help Epilepsy SA help people with epilepsy and other disabilities. As a token of their appreciation, you will receive a What Obstacle? wristband with this inscription:  What Obstacle? Recognise your own strength and the strength of people with epilepsy.

National Epilepsy Week is celebrated annually to raise awareness about epilepsy and this year’s motto is Turning obstacles into true potential.

“The aim of this campaign is to show that potential can bloom in the absence of discrimination”, states Epilepsy SA in their press release and offers a few facts about epilepsy:

• Epilepsy is the most common neurological condition.
• About 1 in every 100 people has epilepsy.
• 75% of people with epilepsy have had their first seizure before the age of 20.
• Epilepsy is a disorder and not a disease, illness, psychiatric disorder or a mental illness.
• A seizure is caused by abnormal chemical activity of the brain.
• Some people’s seizures follow a definite pattern while others have unpredictable seizures.
• Most seizures are over quickly and are easily dealt with.
• Epilepsy affects people of all levels of intelligence and from all racial and social backgrounds
• Anyone can develop epilepsy at any stage of life.

And the saddest part is that the biggest problem the people with epilepsy have to face is other people’s attitudes to epilepsy.

“Limited public understanding of epilepsy has been found to contribute to stigma by breeding negative attitudes towards epilepsy itself and towards people with epilepsy.  Stigma has been shown to have a negative effect on seizure control and quality of life in epilepsy patients, with patients often choosing to withdraw socially as a way of coping with the discrimination and stigma”, says the Epilepsy SA press release, adding:

“While it is true that lives are altered by a diagnosis of epilepsy, there are numerous people describing how they have learnt to cope with the condition. With public understanding and acceptance, persons with epilepsy can reach their full potential; just look at Jonty Rhodes, Vusi Mahlasela and Agatha Christie!  During National Epilepsy Week 2012 we invite you to recognise your own strength by recognising the strength in persons with epilepsy.”

Support Epilepsy South Africa. Donate your R50 now.

For more information about the ways you can get involved, visit Epilepsy SA website.