E P I G R A M M

For most people living with a seizure disorder taking anti-convulsant medications regularly is a given. But, epilepsy is more than a medical condition. It is a lived personal experience that can affect as well as be impacted by all aspects of a person’s life – aspects like stress. Yet, while "stress is one of the leading causes for seizures, the converse is," according to British epileptologist, Dr. Peter Finch, "that happiness is the best anticonvulsant."

Stress is a very complex interaction between events in our lives, our perception of those events, and the resources we have to cope with them. How we choose to view our circumstances can make all the difference. Happiness is a choice. However, not many of us have the mental discipline to adopt and maintain a positive attitude under the daily pressures of living in a stressful society let alone while facing the challenges of living with a chronic condition. And, we wouldn’t want to eliminate all stress in our lives. Stress can also energize and motivate us.

Fortunately, there are smaller concrete steps we can implement to help manage the negative effects of stress and at the same time improve our mood. One of these is exercise. Dr. David Niven in The 100 Simple Secrets of Happy People: What Scientists Have Learned and How You Can use It reports that regular physical activity, even walking, directly increases happiness by 12%. People who exercise feel healthier and feel better about themselves. Dr. Richard Carlson, author of Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff…and it’s all small stuff, also recommends exercise, specifically yoga. Yoga balances the body-mind-spirit connection. Physically, it strengthens the muscles and increases flexibility. Emotionally, it creates a peaceful state of mind, thus reducing stress. Since July, 2001 the Comprehensive Epilepsy Center at New York University’s Medical Center has been evaluating yoga’s effect on reducing the number of seizures in persons with epilepsy. As one participant stated, "These yoga classes have helped me enormously in terms of my overall well-being. Yoga brings such a sense of peace, which I feel I can always tap into."

Since the turn of the twentieth century, rest had come to be accepted as a treatment for a wide range of conditions. No longer is this the case. Scientific research is reaffirming what previous generations already knew – movement heals. In Healing Moves: How to Cure, Relieve, and Prevent Common Ailments with Exercise authors Carol Krucoff and Mitchell Krucoff, M.D. provide information and easy to follow illustrations of various stretching and strength-building techniques that will help improve your physical condition and sense of well-being regardless of your age, fitness level, or health concern.

Exercise improves the heart’s ability to pump blood thereby improving blood flow, carrying additional oxygen, to the brain. Improved blood flow means toxins and wastes are eliminated more efficiently. Exercise also enhances the lungs’ capacity to fill with oxygen, the defensive power of the immune system, and the metabolism’s ability to burn fat. In addition, exercise causes the release of chemicals called endorphins into the bloodstream. These produce a feeling of happiness and wellbeing. According to Krucoff and Krucoff, "A growing amount of research indicates that getting regular physical activity may be the single most important thing you can do to prevent disease and promote good health."

And, it doesn’t require a great deal of time or money to incorporate more physical activity into your life. The important thing is to find an exercise you enjoy. Exercise should be fun, not a "dreaded" workout. Some options include walking, dancing, swimming, skating, cycling, and yoga. Even adding 30 minutes of moderate activity most days of the week can have enormous benefits to overall wellness. Further, exercise need not be a solitary pursuit. Take a walk with a friend or take a yoga class with your children. Many exercise classes are offered through local community organizations or the YMCA at reasonable rates. A wide variety of exercise videos are also available.

Choosing an activity you enjoy will help ensure that you stick with it. Remember, though, it takes about 21 days to change a behaviour. However, the time you spend exercising will be repaid in increased energy, reduced stress, and improved wellness. Before beginning any type of exercise program, though, it’s important to check with your doctor or health care professional first, especially if you haven’t been active in the past.

INFORMATION WORKSHOP ON THE BENEFITS OF YOGA

As mentioned in the above article, yoga has been known to improve your emotional wellbeing and reduce stress. An introduction to yoga and relaxation will be presented in June at the Epilepsy Association of Calgary. Please wear comfortable clothing and bring a blanket. The date will be confirmed shortly, however, please phone Janice Shaw at our Calgary office 230-2764 for more information.

Thursday, May 23, 2002

Epilepsy Clinic Bar-be-que

Foothills Medical Centre

Main Floor

Health Sciences Centre

RSVP to Maureen at 670-4556

Begins at 5:00 p.m.

with the launch for the upcoming September 2002 humour course

Epilepsy - Out of the Shadows….into the Spotlight.

Lottery Board Grant Awarded to EAC for Updated Medication Fact Sheet

First the good news! We are pleased to report that the Calgary Community Lottery Board has provided EAC with a grant to print our updated Medication Fact Sheet. A number of new medications have become available, and we are pleased that with this grant, we will be able to make this information available to those who need it. Thanks to the CCLB for their support on this project!

Now the bad news! As you may have heard, the Calgary Community Lottery Board was disbanded during the latest provincial budget. EAC, along with many other community organizations are deeply saddened by this news. Over the past two years we received a number of grants that made the following possible:

Our volunteer program

Computer and equipment upgrades

Building upgrades

Our updated medication fact sheet

We had just submitted another application to the CCLB to develop an Alumni Program for our "Epilepsy – Out of the Shadows… into the Spotlight Humor Course" graduates when we learned that the local lottery board was being disbanded. Naturally, we are disappointed with this news, as the above projects would not have been possible without the support of the Calgary Community Lottery Board. We would like to extend our thanks to the Calgary Community Lottery Board and their dedicated group of volunteers for the support that was extended to EAC in the past. If you are concerned about the impact on your community with the discontinuation of the Calgary Community Lottery Board and the funds it received and distributed in the Calgary community - please call or write your MLA and make your concerns known!

The Board of Directors would like to extend a heartfelt thanks to all those who donated to the Epilepsy Association in 2001. Over $15,000 was received in memberships and donations in Calgary, with another approximately $500 from our members and friends in Central Alberta (pretty good considering the short time we've had an office there). Funds received for Calgary and Central Alberta are tracked separately, so your gift stays in your area to provide Support and Education Programs close to home. Your assistance is vital in helping us provide these programs – and it is sincerely appreciated.

You should also know that we do not share your name with any outside organizations, we respect your privacy, and this information is kept strictly confidential. If you have received any calls asking for a donation for epilepsy, rest assured it is not the Epilepsy Association of Calgary. But if you have questions anytime, please don't hesitate to call our office! Your contributions are important and very much appreciated, whether in a voluntary role, a donation or both. Many thanks to everyone who helped support the Epilepsy Association of Calgary over the past year. We look forward to your continued involvement in 2002!

DONATIONS RECEIVED FROM JANUARY TO MARCH 2002

Calgary Office

Sandra Freeman

Teresa Delfrari

Anthony Hodgetts

George Jacob

Robert McDonald

P. Josue

Arnold Azrilyant

Kathryn Robson

Wendy Waite

Spartan Controls Ltd.

         Carma Developers Ltd.

Go AEC Foundation

Husky Oil Operations Ltd. and Husky Employees Charitable Fund

Anonymous Donor

Central Alberta Office

Gwen Jaillet

The United Way of Calgary and Area enables donors to designate their gifts to any registered charity in Canada or to an area of need that is meaningful to them. Gifts directed to the Epilepsy Association of Calgary in the amount of $3060.00 were recently received from the United Way of Calgary and Area. Our thanks to everyone who gave so generously to the United Way of Calgary's Donor Choice Program.

Results of our second humour class of November 2001 will be posted on our website shortly for those who are interested.

have the pleasure of re-introducing myself and to say that I am delighted to be back at the Epilepsy Association of Calgary. For those who do not know me, I returned in January 2002 as the Support Coordinator. I will be working with all the participants in our Support Program including the Teen Theatre Group, Adult Support and Information Group, Parent Support Group, Taking Control Skills Development and the Telephone Support Network. There are some exciting things happening at the Epilepsy Association of Calgary and I look forward to connecting with new and on-going participants. Please phone me at 230-2764 if you have a question or need to talk.

The Epilepsy Association of Calgary offers this 12 week program that helps people with epilepsy "take control" of their lives. Through individual sessions with a registered social worker, journal writing and activities at home, you will learn about what you can do to minimize the impact of epilepsy in your life and enhance a sense of well-being.

If you would like more information, or want to know if this program would be beneficial for you, please call Janice at 230-2764.

o facilitate a link between interested participants, the Epilepsy Association of Calgary provides a Telephone Support Network Program that matches individuals with the same or similar situation. For more information phone Janice Shaw at 230-2764.

If you live outside the Calgary and Red Deer local calling areas, you can now reach us at no cost to yourself at our new toll free number to ensure that support, information, and answers to your questions are just a telephone call away.

If you live within the Calgary calling area, please call us at 230-2764.

If you live within the Red Deer calling area, please call us at 358-3358.

7:00 - 9:00 p.m.

Wednesdays

April 24

May 22

June 19

12:00 noon - 2:00 p.m.

Saturdays

April 20

May 25

June 29

1:00 - 3:00 p.m.

Saturdays

April 20

May 18

June 15

Revenue Generation

Public Education Speaker

Penguin Actor or Guide

Educational Displays

Special Events

Childcare

November - Epilepsy

          Education Month

Office Assistant

Casino

Please phone 230-2764 and ask for Pam.

n informative series sponsored by Calgary community agencies. All sessions are 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at the CNIB building located at 15 Colonel Baker Place N.E., Calgary.

Free Admission

(donations accepted)

Space is limited! Register now by calling 250-7090

DOC TALK: INTIMATE EXPRESSIONS

May 28, 2002

"Far away there in the sunshine are my highest aspirations. I may not reach them, but I can look up and see their beauty, believe in them, and try to follow where they lead."

Louisa May Alcott

United Way

Support Group Meetings

Red Deer Office

Room 204B, 4805 - 48 Street

7:00 - 9:00 p.m.

Thursdays

April 18

May 16

June 20

An information session on alternative therapies will be scheduled in the spring. For more information regarding this workshop, please phone Sharon Dixon at our Central Alberta office in Red Deer (403) 358-3358.

Our readers may recall from a previous newsletter that a grant for $1,411.00 was received from the Red Deer & District Community Foundation. We are pleased to report that the funds have been allocated in the year 2001 for programs and services in our Central Alberta Office in Red Deer. Our sincere thanks to the Red Deer & District Community Foundation for supporting our efforts to provide services and programs for Central Albertans affected by epilepsy.

"You cannot take charge of the present if you are busy reliving the setbacks of the past."

Newman & Berkowitz

STAFF

Kathy Fyfe, Executive Director

Janice Shaw, Support Coordinator

Pam Campbell,

Public Education Coordinator

Lois Currie,

Administrative Coordinator

Lynda Hussey,

Administrative Assistant

Martin Blanchard

Victoria Worobetz

Red Deer Office

204b, 4805 - 48 Street

Phone (403) 358-3358

Sharon Dixon

Program Coordinator

Material contained in this newsletter concerning epilepsy , research, treatment and patient experiences is solely for information purposes. Each individual's experiences of epilepsy are different. Please consult your physician for medical advice.

NOTICE

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

2001-2002

George Jacob, President

Marcel Ouimet, Vice President

Julia Robichaud,Secretary

Pat Frank, Treasurer

Dan Pyper, Past President

Kathryn Robson, Director

Dr. Ted Yoshida, Director

Ken Davidson, Director

Honorary DirectorDerek Morris

Calgary Flames

Do You Need Meeting Space?

Phone Lynda at 230-2764

The Epilepsy Association of Calgary has meeting space available at reasonable rates and flexible access.

We can accommodate groups of five - 35 people.

Our meeting space includes: separate kitchen, washrooms, TV/VCR, whiteboard, overhead projector,

flip chart stand, tables and chairs.  Parking available on-site evenings and weekends, nearby street parking during the day from:

Monday to Friday.

Rates:

Full day $100.00

Half day or evening $50.00

he Epilepsy Association of Calgary fundraiser on Thursday, July 18 and Friday July 19, 2002 will be held at Cash Casino, 4040 Blackfoot Trail S.E., Calgary. George Waite, our Volunteer Casino Manager, can be contacted at 289-2241 if you have any questions. The Casino Volunteer Worker Application and Volunteer Shift Schedule Form must be returned to our office no later than May 8th for delivery to the Gaming Commission.

Please return your completed and signed forms to EAC by mail to our office address at 4112 - 4 Street N.W. Calgary T2K 1A2 or by fax at 230-5766. If you have any questions or would like extra applications or shift schedule forms, please do not hesitate to call our office at 230-2764.