“But we are warriors, we will do our best to make this disease known and not feared, so that we can finally get rid of the stigma”
Next month we will commemorate National Epilepsy Day. It is on 24 May and we have to ensure that epilepsy is talked about from many corners, from many media, from many loudspeakers, yes, it is very difficult. But we are warriors, we will do our best to make this disease known and not feared, so that we can finally get rid of the stigma.
You know that, although I am no longer a member of the Board of Directors of the National Association of People with Epilepsy – ANPE, I continue to collaborate with them. From there they are contacting official bodies and large companies so that on the 24th they light up their buildings or representative places in orange, which is the colour of epilepsy in Spain. In other years they have managed to light up the Fuente de Cibeles, the Madrid Assembly building, the Congress of Deputies, various buildings in the Canary Islands and in other cities in Spain. This year I believe that the Alcobendas Town Hall, the Senate, the ONCE Foundation and the headquarters of the Community of Madrid have already confirmed their support.
It’s just a gesture, but if we could get this gesture accompanied by an interview in a widely broadcast media outlet… We have one that has already given us the opportunity, but it’s a small radio station, Radio Enlace, the radio station in Hortaleza (district of Madrid) which, of course, we thank, because we’re sure that with their support and help we will reach someone, which is what it’s all about. I am going to try. I will write wherever I see fit, to see if there is a place where they make room for us and give us a voice. It is very important that they know about us, that they know about the illness, that they know about people with epilepsy, that they know about our lights and shadows, but that they know the truth, not the hoaxes that run around and that literature and cinema have made people believe.
“I encourage you, if you can, if you have the opportunity, to join our campaign to dye the whole country orange on 24 May”
I would also like to tell you that, in Madrid, we are in the middle of an election campaign. You know that I am involved in politics and, wherever I can, I say that I have epilepsy so that people know that a person with epilepsy can also work in politics.
I encourage you, if you can, if you have the opportunity, to join our campaign to dye the whole country orange on 24 May, so that people all over Spain know what we are commemorating that day; to organise an event to talk about this disease. We can all do our bit. We can do our bit. WE ARE ALL STRONGER TOGETHER.
