March 26 is Purple Day

Art for a Cause
THIS PAINTING IS NOT FOR SALE 

Purple Day or International Epilepsy Awareness Day was founded in 2008  by then 9 year Cassidy  Megan. She has a simple message to help her school friend understand Epilepsy. "People with Epilepsy (or seizure disorders) are everyday people living ordinary lives." 

Epilepsy is one of the world's most common disorders, yet it is still widely misunderstood. Many people in the community do not understand what epilepsy is and what to do if someone is having a seizure.

Website 

Last year was the first year I was involve in purple Day and I learnt so much, though I myself have had a seizure disorder for more than a decade.  Did you know there are over 40 different types of seizure disorders.  While an epileptic seizure and its after effects can be debilitating for days, other seizures can be quiet mild lasting  only seconds and you and the person  may not even know that the patient has suffered a seizure.   

Other patients suffer from Chronic Toxinic Seizures that can last anywhere form a few seconds to hours. It is these types of seizures that need you to provide immediate first-aid and CALL 000 for medical assistance. While many misconceptions in the community exist around first-aid for a person having a seizure it is better you give some assistance rather than walk away leaving someone vulnerable to injury or mistreatment.  The very least you should do of someone in this situation is call 000 and describe as best you can what you are seeing, the operator can then direct and guide you to provide fist aide.

But here's a few do not's to help prevent injury to the person:-

Recovery Position

1. Do not restrict a patients movement - If a patient stiffens then any restriction can cause injury.
2. Do not put anything in the patient month. Patients swallowing their tongue is a myth.  Placing objects in the month can become a chocking hazard, and make breathing difficult.  Many patients suffering a grand mal seizure already have compromised airways.
3. Do not attempt to move the patient. Unless the patient is in immediate danger of falling. If possible it is better to remove obstacles away from the person.  If possible put the patient on their side.

 For specific information visit Download the First-Aid Fact Sheet . In many about 60% of case a patient seizures can be fully controlled with medications and the person can live a fully active life in the community.

Famous Australians living with Epilepsy include Wally Lewis channel nine news presenter and former Captain of the Queensland Rubgy League Team and Dr John Darcy, general medical practitioner and medical constant. Both Australians living in the public spot light despite their medical conditions.  

On March 26 2013 I will be auctioning a purple "butterfly painting"
(yet to be painted but a sample of my work is above.) The butterfly is symbolic of freedom. We want to see people with seizure disorders living and fully participating in the community without fear of judgement.   This auction for a cause will raise funds for Epilepsy Action Australia.  You can visit their website to make a direct donation or my fundraising page to make a donation to my tally.  I am not receiving any direct donations.  Receipts for donations will be directly emailed to you.

You can follow my fundraising page for all the art auction details and to see updates on my tally.  So stay tuned for the picture I will be auctioning on March 26 and details on how to bid.

Debbie Chilton

(Purple and Proud)  .  

   

Purple Day 2012

It's time to step out . . .

. . . from under the shadows 

My name is Debbie and I confess to having epilepsy like 1 in every 50 people! If epilepsy is so common why and I tell you this? I need to announce that I along with thousands of other Australian have chosen today March 26 2012 to step out of the shadows and tell people we have epilepsy by wearing purple!  March 26 is purple day!

We want to invite you to come and stand beside us in the bright sunshine and stick out like a sore thumb by wearing purple today!

CASSIDY MEGAN 

Purple Day was started in 2006 by Cassidy Megan who was only 10 years old at the time.  Cassidy simply wanted “people epilepsy to know they were not alone.” Will you wear purple with her today to see her dream achieved?

This year I in choosing to step out from under the shadow and pulling on my purple day T-shirt I will be supporting Epilepsy Queensland and Epilepsy Action Australia. Many I take this opportunity to ask you to become a Purple Day Hero by making a donation to one of these organisations or pick up some purple day merchandise. The links are in the right had column. 

Epilepsy is a very common disorder in our community and yet many myths surrounding the disorder and first aid of seizures still exist.  Since suffering my first seizure over 20 years ago, people has offer applied inappropriate first-aid.  One of the goals of Epilepsy Action Australia this year is to educated people on basic first-aid for people who experience grand-mal seizure, chatonic seizures or complex partial seizures.  These are these are the types of seizures you many one day wittiness. Although there are over 40 different types of seizures and not all of them are classify as epileptic seizures.

In explain basic first-aid procedures it is often easier to tell my family, friends and support workers what not to do.  Rather than present a first-aid blurb myself I’d like to ask you to watch the video in the previous post and then download the first-aid poster at Epilepsy Queensland

When I moved out home (for the second time – a typical Aussie kid) they was a mixed reaction. Some people were horrified my parents would let me leave home.  Well at 28 thought to ask my parents permission didn’t occur to me and to them it had become obvious that I was not happy and needed to try to live independently.  And then the what ifs.  What if I had a seizure, like it had never happen before.

The truth be told, my seizure are probably not epileptic and are complex partial seizures.  While basic first aid is often needed but not necessary. I am fortunate I usual get a warning. If I am at home I simply lie on my bed, have a seizure and then roll over and go to sleep.  The other blessing is I have most of me seizure at night and less I am unwell.  When I get sick for some reason that throws my medication level out.

I am part of the 30% of people whose seizure can not be fully controlled. I am told this is the norm form people who have a combination of Cerebral Palsy and epilepsy. CP does not define who I am and thus I am determine to not let my seizures define me either.  I accept it prevents me form having a full time job and driving a car, but that’s where the limits stop.  Those too limits are imposed by other people not me.

"Epilepsy doesn’t define me!"

So now I walking in the sunshine will you join me by wearing bright purple on March 26 Every Year?

       

 

Purple Day- Seizure Disorders and First-aid