From our partner Irene Tarragó
Next May 24th is National Epilepsy Day. From the National Association of People with Epilepsy – ANPE we are trying to illuminate a good number of buildings and monuments throughout Spain in orange, to make visible this disease, which is, even today, so unknown.
People who live with epilepsy and our families live with this disease every day of the year. We, the patients and our families, are the main warriors and spreaders of this disease. We don’t have to hide. It is not our fault that we have this disease, but it is the attitude we have towards it. We cannot live frightened by epilepsy, but we have to move forward and spread knowledge. Because what is unknown is feared, what is feared is hidden and isolated and even discriminated against. Many children are victims of bullying at school and many adults are fired from their jobs for having epilepsy. We have to go to schools and employers to explain to them what they have to do in case a child or adult has an epileptic seizure and, also, that children with epilepsy can be as bright as those who do not have it. Some may need more time to understand certain things, but once understood, they will not forget. And workers can be as efficient as others. There is a black legend surrounding people with epilepsy and a lot of hoaxes that need to be uncovered.
For example, the hoax that you have to put something in your mouth. YOU SHOULD NEVER PUT ANYTHING INTO YOUR MOUTH OR HOLD SOMEONE WHO IS HAVING AN EPILEPTIC SEIZURE. Let’s repeat this mantra as if there was no tomorrow. This year let’s dedicate ourselves to it. If every year we repeat and repeat a couple of strong ideas without stopping, we will break down those hoaxes that hurt us so much.
YOU SHOULD NEVER PUT ANYTHING INTO YOUR MOUTH OR HOLD SOMEONE WHO IS HAVING AN EPILEPTIC SEIZURE.
If you can contact a City Council so that on May 24 they can illuminate a monument or building or simply place an orange ribbon, do it. It will be a great contribution to the cause.
A hug to everyone and have a happy National Epilepsy Day.
