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Lifestyles Epilepsy is a disease misunderstood by many Sandy woke up with the whole PJE. class staring down at her. She felt groggy and just wanted to sleep. The EMS had been called so she was quickly loaded into the ambulance and was whirled into the EH. “What happened?” she asked everyone around her. After a battery of tests the diagnosis of Epilepsy or Seizure disorder was made. Sandy’s life was changed forever. A previous honor roll student she had difficulty staying awake in class due to seizure medications. An outstanding athletic and a cheerleader she was asked by the school counselor to quit (How would it look if she had a seizure in front of the crowds at a game?) Her friends began to shy away from her because she was “different.” Some parents instructed their kids not to hang around with her because there was something wrong with her brain. No one would consider dating her because they believed seizures could be inherited. I met Sandy at this point in her life. She was admitted into the hospital because of uncontrolled seizures. After spending some time with her I discovered she was not taking her medication partly because it made her sleepy and because she wanted to deny or run away from the life changes this disease had thrown on her. Sandy’s parents were at a total loss of how to deal with a hostile, anger, hurt teenager. Epilepsy or Seizures disorder is one of the most misunderstood diseases today. Persons with Lilley receives degree at West Point Aaron B. Lilley graduated May 28, 1994, with a Bachelors of Science Degree from the United States Military Academy at West Point He was commissioned a 2nd Ll in the United States Army. Aaron was one of 1,031 men and women who graduated from the Academy. His class had the lowest attrition rate since 1948 with 79 percent of those who began their studies in 1990 to earn their degrees. Secretary of the Army, Togo D. West, Jr., was the graduation speaker. Togo told the graduates that they would teach the value of integrity and its importance in the life of the Army and the country by the way each lived their life. The graduation week was marked by parades and special activities. General William C. Westmoreland, a West Point graduate of 1936 was the graduation banquet speaker. Gen. Norman Schwarzkoph was Happy First Birthday! Nakia Shonte Daniels will celebrate her first birthday on Wednesday, June 29, 1994. She is the daughter of Kelsie and Regina L. Daniels of Atlanta. Her grandparents are Charles and Pearl Little of Atlanta and Effie Daniels of Americus. Nakia Is the great granddaughter of Nicie Daniels of Americus. Happy first birthday Nakia! Senior Citizens Discount • Free In-Town Delivery • Durable Medical Equipment • pomputer Medical Records • Emergency Service • Complete Line of Sundry Items /&K.M [ DRUG CO.J YOUR FAMILY PHARMACY We Provide Printouts For Insurance Records And Income Tax Records At No Extra Charge. Mon-Fri 8:30-6:00 Sat 8:30-12:30 fjMSjrt HM 1036-A Macon Street, Perry, GA BPIM 987-2114 seizure disorders are falsely mislabeled as mentally ill or brain damaged. The Epilepsy Foundation states “Even with all our current knowledge and advanced treatment skills, people with epilepsy still face widespread prejudgment and misunderstanding, many encounter barriers in everyday life.” Epilepsy is a physical condition caused by sudden brief changes in the brain. The changes occurring in the brain may make the persons body move automatically or it may just block the persons awareness. About two million people in the United States have epilepsy. In more than 70 percent of all cases no cause can be found. Among the other 30 percent, epilepsy may be caused by head injuries, strokes, brain tumors, lead poisoning or illness like meningitis or encephalitis. Seizures do not cause brain damage or alter intelligence in any way. The exception to this would be a series of non-stop seizures in which the person’s oxygen is cut off for a prolonged period. Epilepsy is never contagious and rarely inherited. There are several types of seizures. Some seizures look alike day dreaming or blank staring. Some seizures include blank staring and a series of involuntary movements. Most people think of convulsions or grand mal when they hear the word seizure. In grand mal seizures the whole brain is suddenly swamped with extra electrical energy. First aid for epilepsy is basically : jffp * irm Aaron B. Lilley one of three members of the class of 1994 honored with the Distinguished Graduate Award during the week's activities. 2nd Lt. Lilley will attend Please see LILLEY, page 3B mmmm * *yT ||HAJh§§l P^j vv vHr. \ Hubert Bennett I; i pK Jackie Klein, left, donates funds to Beth Jones of Perry Hospital to help form a new Epilepsy and Seizure Disorder support group. The funds being presented were raised during the Middle Georgia golf Tournament for Epilepsy. very simple. Keep the person safe until the seizure stops naturally by itself. Do not force the mouth to open with any hard object, do not TWIN SIZE UPPER BUNK 4-PIECE FUEL SIZE BUTTON BUNK I II HE] IRE «M ‘With approved credit Terms A prlcea do not apply to prior purcheeee. All Heme In limited quantity A subject to prior tale. T Store Hours: If 9-6 Monday -5 Saturday hold the person down. Loosen anything around the neck that may make breathing difficult. Put something flat and soft under his FARMERS FURNITURE Street • Perry » Houston Times-Journal Wednesday, June 22,1994 Houston Times -Journal head. Turn him gently on his side. Most seizures are very short. The EMS should be called for any seizure lasting over five minutes. With the current care 80-85 percent of people with seizures can be controlled with medication. New surgical techniques have in certain cases stopped or cured seizures. A person with any seizure disorder needs appropriate medical care. Medical care can be the difference in a person with epilepsy leading a “normal life” or a life limited by uncontrolled seizures. A person with any seizure disorder needs to leant all he can about his disorder. As a society we have a responsibility to become more aware of epilepsy and other seizure disorders. It is often said “the public reaction to a seizure does the person with epilepsy more harm than the seizure itself.” These reactions lead to feeling of low self esteem rejection and depression in the person with seizure disorder. In an effort to provide support, assistance and education on seizure Page 1B p Beth " Jones, rnc disorders, Perry Hospital will have an organizational meeting of Epilepsy and Seizure Disorder support group. This new group is the result of many Perry people and the surrounding community participating in or donating to the Middle Georgia Golf Tournament for Epilepsy, headed by Jackie Klein. Any interested person should attend this first meeting on June 28 at 7 p.m. in the Hospital Cafeteria. Cost is FREE and the new educational materials on Epilepsy will be available. For more information call 987-3600 ext. 405.