March 13, 2012
Barbara Turnbull
A new survey about the impact of epilepsy reveals that many of the 300,000 Canadians who live with and suffer from the common neurological condition face serious obstacles to health, treatment options and satisfying social lives.
Its the second most common neurological condition next to headaches, but a lack of understanding and support causes social isolation, work barriers and relationship issues for those living with the disorder.
The Impact of Epilepsy on Canadians is the first survey to explore the challenges faced by adults living with epilepsy on life and health issues.
It solidifies what they hear anecdotally from clients, according to Epilepsy Ontarios executive director Rozalyn Werner-Arce.
This survey confirms for us what the issues are and starts to give us some real numbers that we can go forward with and to advocate for better supports, services and treatments for people, she says.
The survey makes it clear that epilepsy, a chronic disorder characterized by recurrent seizures, has severe impact on independence, productivity and overall quality of life.
Seventy per cent of epileptics control their seizures with medication, but they still feel the stigma, the survey shows. It also revealed inadequate access to specialized medical care.
It is time for Canadians to take a stand and support people with epilepsy, Werner-Arce says. We need to eliminate the stigma. We need to ensure access to safe and effective options for seizure control.
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Canadians living with epilepsy feel isolated, lack proper treatment