On April 1, 2001 approximately 200 guests attended the culmination of our first ever, ten week humor course, "Epilepsy – Out of the Shadows …into the Spotlight". The class was taught by Derek Wilken M.D. (that’s manic depressive), and Melanie Burnell C.E.O. (chief entertainment officer) of the Cheers Project. The event featured our 13 class participants, who treated our guests to a funny, charming, and delightful evening of stand-up comedy. They dared to tread into the shadows of epilepsy and instead of fear, or pain, or any number of issues associated with that dark, unspeakable side of epilepsy, they found the humor, the fun, and the laughter! The majority of these performers had never been on stage before...so alone, so public, and so nnneerrvous! Without exception, they tickled our funny bones with their tales, quips, and their own unique epilepsy experiences, and in the process, they captured our hearts and imaginations. They put epilepsy "into the spotlight" in a way that has never been done before!

We were joined by neurologist, Dr. Neelan Pillay, who got into the act and spirit of the event with his own unique brand of "physician humor" (for those present, a visit to your doctor may never be quite the same!). In addition, Derek Morris of the Calgary Flames provided an inspirational taped message.

Thanks are due to our special guests, Dr. Pillay and Derek Morris who added so much to the event. Thanks as well to the Calgary Foundation and our anonymous donor for making this project possible. Congratulations and thank you to our 13 class participants, who overcame their own fears to make this event so enjoyable!

Yours in laughter,

Kathy "fifi"

We are now seeking another 14 victims (just kidding!) – participants for our next humor class, which will begin on September 10, 2001 from 7:00 to 9:30 p.m. and will run for 10 weeks (holidays excluded), with the final performance on November 25, 2001. If you are affected by epilepsy, would like to participate in a truly unique experience, and would like to laugh more, please call Kathy at the Epilepsy Association of Calgary (EAC) 230-2764 or email epilepsy.kfyfe@telusplanet.net for more information. Class is limited to 14 people. In the words of a participant from our first class, "It was no longer enough for me to embarrass myself in private, this class gave me the opportunity to do it in public".

"...mental health is a two way street.

Smiling is not just a result of happiness.

It’s also a cause."

Tickets are now available from our office for our next evening of stand-up comedy, which will be held during Epilepsy Education Month, on Sunday, November 25, 2001 at 6:30 p.m. at the Blackfoot Hotel.

Tickets are $25.00 each and include a delicious dessert buffet. Proceeds help the Epilepsy Association of Calgary to provide public education programs. An order form is included with this newsletter.

The experience of participating in the first Humor Course offered by EAC appears to have been a positive and beneficial one for the group members.

A report supported by the data will be available on our website shortly.

"Life is full of miserableness, loneliness, unhappiness, and suffering–and it’s all over much too quickly". Norman Vincent Peale tells me of meeting a friend on the street in New York who bemoaned his terrible life. Norman said, "I know a place where there are twenty-five thousand people with no problems". His friend said, "Norman, take me there", and Norman said, "it’s Woodlawn Cemetary".

member of our Board of Directors, Ken Davidson, was nominated by Roxanne LeBlanc, Support Coordinator for the Citizen Achievement Award. The nominee must be a person with a disability and a citizen of Calgary who is actively involved with persons with disabilities and who promotes and enhances positive attitudes within the disabled community. Ken was presented with the award at the dinner celebration on June 1, 2001. Ken, his family, and Pam Campbell, Public Education Coordinator attended the ceremony. Congratulations Ken on a job well done!

ew eligibility criteria and application process starts July 1, 2001. All new registrants become customers of shared-ride brokerage.

Calgary Transit will be responsible for determining eligibility and travel training.

Transportation broker will be responsible for bookings, scheduling and dispatch (made up of staff from Calgary Handi-Bus, Special Needs Taxi and Calgary Transit).

 

Service providers (taxis, transit and Handi-Bus) are responsible for drivers and vehicles as per standards outlined by the broker.

Existing Special Needs Taxi and Calgary Handi-Bus customers to be re-registered between July 2002 and June 2003.

Call Karen Cameron at Calgary Transit at 537-7735 or email her at kcameron@gov. calgary.ab.ca

Belva Davis

ummerActive is a fun and easy way for you to take a first step towards regular physical activity! It’s the perfect time to start improving your health through physical activity. It’s easier than you think! Every step counts as progress. You can do it!

Today, two-thirds of Canadians lead sedentary lifestyles. Inactivity is linked to premature death, heart disease, obesity, high blood pressure, adult-onset diabetes, osteoporosis, stroke, depression, and colon cancer.

But there’s good news, too. Regular physical activity reduces the risk of these diseases while at the same time improves health and fitness, strengthens muscles and bones, gives you more energy, and helps you maintain independent living in later life.

SummerActive is just one way that governments and other organizations are working to encourage and support Canadians to become more active. The government has set a target to reduce physical inactivity in Canada by ten percent by 2003. If we can achieve this goal, we could save $5 billion in health care costs!

But best of all, SummerActive makes it easy to get into the action. Leaders at all levels are organizing plenty of activities in your community to help you get started.

Remember, it’s easy to start and every little bit counts. To help you build physical activity into your daily routine, here are some first steps you can take:

Ask a physical activity expert or health professional for help in getting started.

Talk to friends who have built physical activity into their daily routines and ask them how they got started.

Order a free copy of Canada’s Physical Activity Guide to Healthy Active Living and its companion Guide for Older Adults by calling 1-888-334-9769 or visit www. paguide.com

Check out what physical activity organizations exist in your community, like your parks and recreation centre.

Ask a friend who is already active to join you and keep you motivated.

Make a short list of the reasons why you might want to introduce physical activity into your daily routine.

Watch classes at your community centre that you might want to try.

Choose an activity that you enjoy doing.

Do a balance of endurance, flexibility and strength activities.

Start slowly…and build up!

Add up your activities during the day in periods of at least ten minutes each.

If you’re already doing some light activity, move up to moderate activity.

Starting physical activity or

becoming more active is very safe for most people, but if you’re in doubt, talk to your doctor or other health professional before starting any new activity. And remember, people with epilepsy should not do water activities alone!

www.paguide.com

to get a copy of the Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire ™

Visit the website:

www.summeractive. canoe.ca

to find out about SummerActive events and programs in your community and who to contact.

Josie Bisset

s many of you are aware, and for those who were not, we regret to inform you that Dr. Mary Anne Lee passed away recently. We know this news will sadden many of her patients. However, we are also aware that some of you may have questions about the continuity of your health care.

We hope the following guidelines, provided by the Neurosciences Department at the Foothills Medical Centre will be of help.

If your last visit to Dr. Lee was more than six months ago, you are asked to see your family physician to arrange for a new referral.

If you had follow-up appointments booked, someone will have contacted you, or will be contacting you shortly to make alternate arrangements.

If you have not yet been contacted and have an urgent question, please phone Maureen at 670-1544.

he Epilepsy Association was recently invited to a very unique fund-raising event at Star Oil and Gas. A member of the staff was about to have surgery for epilepsy, and in support of what he was facing, he along with three other staff members, decided to shave their heads and raise funds for the EAC at the same time. This is a first for epilepsy as far as we know! We were thrilled to be invited to the head-shaving event, and I must say, it was a lot of fun. They had some imaginative costumes, and some rather unique hair cutting tools – suffice it to say I was glad to be a spectator for this series of haircuts! Even more thrilling however, was to see all the staff at Star Oil and Gas present to support their colleague, Ken Hale. It was a packed room filled with fun and laughter! It was great to see the enormous show of support in the workplace for someone affected by epilepsy. We know this is not always the case. Not so at Star Oil and Gas! When it was all said and done, over $11,000 was forwarded to the EAC. We are pleased to inform you that the surgery went well too! Our sincere thanks to everyone at Star Oil and Gas who supported this fund-raiser for the EAC. Special thanks must also be extended to the three individuals, Phil Johnson, Steve Kapusta and Stephen LeFebvre who agreed to part with their lovely locks in support of their friend and colleague.

Thank you everyone–way to go!

n an effort to facilitate a link between interested participants, the EAC has a telephone support network. For more information please call our office at 230-2764 and ask for Roxanne.

We sincerely appreciate the donations received in memory of a loved one or friend. The gifts are a most appropriate memorial to one who knew so well the difficulties encountered by many with this disorder.

e have now received our final share of the pool proceeds in the amount of $48,942.00. Thanks again to all our volunteers.

Revenue Generation

Public Education Speaker

Penguin Actor or Guide

Educational Displays

Special Events

Childcare (at EAC office)

Epilepsy Education Month

n behalf of the Board of Directors of the Epilepsy Association of Calgary, and most importantly the individuals and families we serve, we wish to thank the United Way Donor Choice Program.

Panel discussion on financial benefit programs: CPP, AISH, SFI and Legal Guidance

Location: CNIB

15 Colonel Baker Place NE

United Way campaigns will soon be underway in Calgary and Central Alberta. As you plan your charitable giving this year, please remember your local United Way - where a little goes a long way!

On Saturday June 9, 2001 the Central Alberta Office held a hot dog sale at Save On Foods, who donated the cart, hot dogs, buns, and condiments. We provided the volunteers and the

enthusiasm and from all accounts a good time was had by all. With the help of our willing volunteers and Save On Foods, we raised a total of $200.00 that will be used to provide services in Central Alberta. A huge thanks to Save On Foods for providing us with this opportunity. Also, thank you to the following volunteers – we could not have done this without you!

Blaine Parker

Tim McRae

Debbie Tschabo

Alicia Tschabo

Matt Konshuh

Thanks to everyone who supported the effort by coming out and enjoying a hot dog!

Evelyn Konshuh,

Program Coordinator

he United Way of Central Alberta has decided to continue its support to our Central Alberta Office for the year 2001. Without this support, it would not be possible to provide the programs and level of outreach currently being provided in Central Alberta. We still have lots to do, but thanks to the United Way of Central Alberta, it will be possible for us to continue the efforts that are already underway and forge new paths in support of epilepsy. Many thanks to the dedicated volunteers and staff who have made this possible!

he Calgary Community Lottery Board has confirmed that EAC has been granted funds in the amount of $4,642.00. The funding is for two projects: replacement of flooring and toilets in our upstairs, and replacement of printers, scanner and software. EAC extends thanks to all the volunteers and staff of the CCLB for your generous support.

George Jacob, President

Marcel Ouimet, Vice President

Kathy Alexander, Secretary

Pat Frank,

Treasurer

Dan Pyper,

Past President

Kathryn Robson, Director

Dr. Ted Yoshida, Director

Ken Davidson, Director

Kathy Fyfe,

Executive Director

Roxanne LeBlanc,

Support Coordinator

Pam Campbell,

Public Education Coordinator

Lois Currie,

Administrative Coordinator

Lynda Hussey,

Administrative Assistant

___________________________

Name

___________________________

Address

___________________________

City Prov Postal Code

Home Phone______________________

Work Phone______________________

Email address

___________________________

? Epilepsy Association of Calgary - Calgary Office

? Epilepsy Association of Calgary - Central Alberta Office

? Annual Membership - -$ 20.00

(January to December 2001)

? Life Membership - - - $200.00

? Donation amount - - - $_____

Total enclosed - - - - $_____