Purple Day for Epilepsy Awareness

March 26th, 2018

For Purple Day 2018 (March 26) Australians with epilepsy are encouraging friends, family members, colleagues and the wider community to become better informed about epilepsy to reduce the fear and misconceptions often associated with the condition.

Around 250,000 Australians are diagnosed with epilepsy, and more than 65 million people worldwide, making it the world's most common serious brain disorder. More people have epilepsy than have Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis and cerebral palsy combined, however epilepsy remains poorly understood – and often feared – by much of the community.

"Epilepsy is far from a rare medical condition, however awareness and understanding remains staggeringly low, and myths and stereotypes abound," explains Carol Ireland, CEO of Epilepsy Action Australia. "People with epilepsy tell us that they still face a great deal of misunderstanding and exclusion in many aspects of their lives, and that people outside of their inner circles have limited knowledge and an outdated view of the condition. People fear what they don't understand. However, we know that if we can increase peoples' knowledge about epilepsy, we can reduce that fear."

For Purple Day 2018, Epilepsy Action is using the tagline Know epilepsy. No fear to promote the idea that knowledge is power when it comes to understanding and assisting someone with epilepsy.

Bec Lancaster (39, from the Gold Coast), who has epilepsy, adds, "There is still such a stigma around epilepsy, especially in the workplace. I know of a lot of people who are too scared to tell their employer they have epilepsy for fear of being discriminated against. We need to let people know that having epilepsy doesn't make me any less capable, or any less human."

While living with epilepsy can present its own unique set of challenges, most people with epilepsy can live a rewarding and full life.

"Epilepsy is a neurological condition that disrupts the electro-chemical activity in the brain," continues Ms Ireland. "With the right treatment and support, many people with epilepsy can lead a life as ordinary – or extraordinary – as anyone else, including having meaningful relationships, career success, raising children, and following their dreams."

Jeff Lawrance (44, from Sydney) who also has epilepsy, believes that it's important to acknowledge that seizures can be frightening, but to move past that fear. "Epilepsy can be scary, there's no doubt about it," he says. "Whether you're having a seizure or watching a seizure, it's no small thing. But a person inside of a seizure needs a person outside of the seizure to help them, so we need to encourage people to get past the fear and learn what they need to do if someone is having a seizure."

Epilepsy Action Australia has developed an extensive suite of online resources designed to increase understanding and awareness of epilepsy in the community, and reduce the misperceptions and fear often associated with the condition.

Get Involved in Purple Day this March

Epilepsy Action would like to encourage all Australians to get involved in Purple Day this year to raise funds and awareness, with some ideas including:
 

Host your own fundraising event with a purple twist – a morning tea, a BBQ, a bake sale, a run, whatever you can think of! The only limit is your imagination. 

Get your school involved – hold a free dress day, sports day, sausage sizzle, or deliver Epilepsy Awareness presentations for K-2 or 3-6 in class. 

Buy our merchandise to show support and start conversations including t-shirts, hats, keyrings, pens and wristbands 

Make a donation online or phone 1300 37 45 37, to help support what we do.

Funds raised by Epilepsy Action for Purple Day will go towards life-changing programs and services which are delivered to people with epilepsy right across the country.