Why?

So I decided to write a blog about epilepsy to help more people become aware of the medical condition. It bothers me everyday to hear about childhood cancer, breast cancer, autism and other medical conditions that gain so much support from public figures however epilepsy does not seem to receive the same amount of attention. Its not that I'm heartless and feel that these medical conditions don't deserve the attention and funds it's just that I would like to see epilepsy get the same amount of attention and funds.

The facts about epilepsy:

CURE: Epilepsy Facts:

"Epilepsy affects over 3 million Americans of all ages – more than multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, and Parkinson’s disease combined. Almost 500 new cases of epilepsy are diagnosed every day in the United States. Epilepsy affects 50,000,000 people worldwide.

In two-thirds of patients diagnosed with epilepsy, the cause is unknown.

Epilepsy can develop at any age and can be a result of genetics, stroke, head injury, and many other factors.

In over thirty percent of patients, seizures cannot be controlled with treatment. Uncontrolled seizures may lead to brain damage and death. Many more have only partial control of their seizures.

The severe epilepsy syndromes of childhood can cause developmental delay and brain damage, leading to a lifetime of dependency and continually accruing costs—both medical and societal.

It is estimated that up to 50,000 deaths occur annually in the U.S. from status epilepticus (prolonged seizures), Sudden Unexplained Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP), and other seizure-related causes such as drowning and other accidents.

The mortality rate among people with epilepsy is two to three times higher than the general population and the risk of sudden death is twenty-four times greater.

Recurring seizures are also a burden for those living with brain tumors and other disorders such as cerebral palsy, mental retardation, autism, Alzheimer’s disease, stroke, multiple sclerosis, tuberous sclerosis, and a variety of genetic syndromes.

There is a strong association between epilepsy and depression: more than one of every three persons with epilepsy will also be affected by depression, and people with a history of depression have a higher risk of developing epilepsy.

Historically, epilepsy research has been under-funded. Federal dollars spent on research pale in comparison to those spent on other diseases, many of which affect fewer people than epilepsy."

So after reading the facts you may see why I am a bit upset about epilepsy not getting a lot of attention. But why do I care so much about epilepsy, you may ask, well it is because I am a mother of two boys who have epilepsy. So for them I have decided to start a blog about the facts of epilepsy, the journey that both my kids are on living with it, and the journey I am on as a mom hoping and praying that they outgrow seizures and also for a cure so that one day parents will never have to feel the emotions and fear that I do every time one of my kids has a seizure.