On May 24, the National Epilepsy Day was celebrated in Spain. Throughout Spain and in charge of the associative movement that moves around this disease, numerous events were held to make it visible.
Numerous public buildings and monuments, such as the Cibeles, the Congress of Deputies, the Assembly of Madrid, the city councils of Barcelona, Tarragona, Lleida and Girona, the Senate and many more, were illuminated in orange, the color of Epilepsy in Spain.
There have been events around epilepsy, such as concerts, information tables, interviews… but all with the push of the Associations. The government has not received any support, except for the lighting that was requested, and only the “Ciudadanos party” has launched a viral campaign in support of people with this disease.
Governments must become more involved in following the guidelines set by the WHO. The Global Intersectoral Action Plan (IGAP) for Epilepsy and other neurological diseases has been approved, a 10-year plan for countries to implement in their health and social policies. It includes 10 global targets for the next 10 years. Global target 5.1: to achieve a 50% increase in the coverage of epilepsy services by 2031 compared to the current level of coverage in 2021. Let’s see if they get down to work.
There have been events around epilepsy, such as concerts, information tables, interviews…
Global target 5.1: to achieve a 50% increase in the coverage of epilepsy services by 2031 compared to the current level of coverage in 2021
Because, although there may be days so that we do not forget that epilepsy exists, the truth is that people with epilepsy live with it 365 days a year (366 if it is a leap year) and what we want are improvements in treatments, research, improving the quality of life. These are the real measures that we want our governments to take seriously.
I have to tell you that on this day I have been interviewed twice: one on a local radio, which I have been interviewed for at least 3 years for these dates, in which I tell a little about my day to day, and another one, an Instagram live, which was made by an Argentine girl, with epilepsy, who started by herself through the networks and now she even organizes congresses. So, I’m already international. I just hope that these interviews will help someone to live their epilepsy with more optimism and a positive attitude, because, as an athlete with epilepsy who has just written a book told me, we have no choice but to move forward.
The hot weather is coming, and the truth is that I tolerate it quite badly. But well, we will look for “tricks” to spend less heat and enjoy the summer.
