Seizure Disorder

About 2,000,000 Americans have a seizure disorder.  It is something that any of us could encounter or experience at any time.  Therefore, we all should really know something about this group of conditions.  We emphasize it here because the students with whom you are working as a peer tutor, because of the neurological basis of some of their conditions, are more likely to have seizure disorder than the average student.   Make sure your notebook material is accurate; people with seizure disorder have too long been the victim of misinformation and prejudice.

1. Epilepsy Fact Sheet from NICHCY provides basic information on epilepsy on this fact sheet. http://www.nichcy.org/pubs/factshe/fs6txt.htm 
2. Epilepsy Foundation  is a national organization, founded in 1968 as the Epilepsy Foundation of America. The only such organization wholly dedicated to the welfare of people with epilepsy.  Its mission is simple: to work for children and adults affected by seizures through research, education, advocacy and service.  Look at the section entitled the “answer place” for up to date information  http://www.efa.org/ 
3. BLURT is a website for teens with epilepsy.  If you are on the Epilepsy Foundation home page, click on the link on the right side of the homepage to enter the special section for teenagers  http://www.efa.org/blurt .  While there, take some time to play the game “spellbound.”
4. A neurologist provides specific direction on “What to do when you see someone having a seizure” http://www.northeastrehab.com/Articles/seizurefaq.htm#todo   
5. Alison's Website.  Alison is a beautiful girl who is full of life, and hasn't let the results of a rare seizure disorder, called infantile spasms, keep her from enjoying life to its fullest. This site features her story, a picture gallery, related disability links, and resources that interest Alison. http://www.alisonhigginbotham.com/index.htm

Additional Resources & Stories

• Epilepsy from TeensHealth! TeensHealth was created for teens looking for honest, accurate information and advice about health, relationships, and growing up.  Created by The Nemours Foundation's for Children's Health Media, TeensHealth provide teens and families with accurate, up-to-date, and jargon-free health information they can use.
• Epilepsy facts on the Epilepsy Canada website presents information in a clear and interesting fashion. :  http://www.epilepsy.ca/eng/sheet.html 
• The Family Village - Epilepsy / Seizure Disorders Like all of the links to this group this one provides medical information, a list of contacts, mailing lists and a selection of related links at http://www.familyvillage.wisc.edu/lib_epil.htm
• Epilepsy and Seizures - Neurologychannel  There are many disorders that cause seizures; epilepsy is only one. Learn about treatment and diagnosis of seizure disorders. http://www.neurologychannel.com/seizures
• Epilepsy Personal Stories  Sarah Blake has developed a wonderful website on physical disabilities titled growingstrong.org.  Here, she shares her personal story and how she has been challenged with physical difficulties since birth.  Part of this site also features information on epilepsy and personal stories by those who are challenged with this disability. http://www.growingstrong.org/epilepsy/exp.html

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