April 2010 Issue

Upcoming Events

Teens With Epilepsy Night

Richland, WA - April 23, 2010

YEA! Youth Epilepsy Advocates

Seattle, WA - May 1, 2010

Support EFNW

The Epilepsy Foundation Northwest is funded independently by individuals, corporations and foundations. Our fundraising efforts to support northwest people are separate of the national Epilepsy Foundation.

The Epilepsy Foundation Northwest is now accepting Monthly Recurring Donations.

Spokane Youth Art Project

Over the last two weeks our YEA! Youth Epilepsy Advocate members worked with two local volunteer artists to create an artistic space in downtown Spokane.

The project was a city wide affair with multiple youth programs participating. The goal of the project was to provide youth with the opportunity to express their ideas, values, and perceptions to the community as a whole through art.

One "sculpture" that stood out was a cage that one YEA! youth member had attached empty prescription pill bottles. The purpose was to vocalize how youth with epilepsy and other diseases can feel trapped by their medications. He then stood inside the cage for part of the exhibit to demonstrate his point.

Kudos to our great youth!

La Epilepsia Program Expands to Other Counties

The La Epilepsia program headed by the Washington Dept. of Health this past several years has served Benton, Franklin and Yakima counties. The program designed to reach out to the Hispanic community has gained much awareness within schools, local government agencies and the community in general. Epilepsy education and training programs have been provided by program participants in each community including the Arc of Tri-Cities, Children's Villiage-Yakima and Parent-to-Parent programs in each community.

The program will now expand to Skagit and Walla Walla counties this spring and summer to better serve people with epilepsy in the general population with a focus in Hispanic communities.

For more information, contact 206-547-4551 or
http://www.doh.wa.gov/cfh/mch/Epilepsy/Default.htm

for links to agencies involved in the program.

Camp Discovery

Snohomish County, WA
Aug. 31 - Sept. 3, 2010

The annual summer camp presented by the Epilepsy Foundation Northwest, Camp Discovery, is held the end of August each year. The Camp is located at the Camp Fire USA's Camp Killoqua on beautiful Crabapple Lake just east of Lake Goodwin in Snohomish County (Stanwood and Everett), WA. Children will experience archery, rock climbing, canoeing, hiking, swimming, arts/crafts, campfire games and much more.

The Camp is for children with epilepsy age 7-17 for which there is no charge. Siblings are also invited at a cost of $125 per child. Parents are encouraged to be Camp Counselors and participate in this life experience with their children. Other volunteers are also welcomed to help as Camp Counselors and in other capacities.

2010 Camper registration and Volunteer forms are available at www.epilepsynw.org - Programs/Camp Disovery.

Resource Link

Epilepsy Foundation Northwest

EFNW Upcoming Events

Oregon Community Resouces

Washington Community Resouces

Montana Community Resouces

Alaska Community Resouces

Local Epilepsy Centers

Epilepsy Northwest News & Blog

Volunteer Opportunities

Health Care and Prescriptions

To help prevent breakthrough seizures, we encourage notification and informed consent of both patient and

physicians before changing or replacing a patient's medication. It is critical each individual have access to the medication that provides the best outcome for health care.

To further protect your prescription, we encourage patients to consult with their physician about writing "Do Not Substitute" or "Dispense as Written" on the prescription. Talk with your

pharmacist to ensure medications are dispensed as written by your physician.

Check to make sure your medication is what you and your doctor have agreed is best for you. Ask questions about your health care and prescription drug programs to be comfortable with both.

Northwest Run/Walk for Epilepsy

team

Register or Donate Today!

The annual Northwest Run/Walk for Epilepsy will be held this coming June 19 in Portland, Seattle, Spokane,

Richland and Anchorage. The same will be held in Juneau on Sunday, June 20.

Registration sites will be open the end of March and can be located via the www.epilepsynw.orgwebsite. Team Captains are encouraged to gather together their work associates, family and friends to join their team to support the Northwest Run/Walk for Epilepsy.

Speak Up Speak Out goes to Washington

In late March, EFNW Speak Up Speak Out representatives, Kelly and Rachel Cobb (Salem, OR), Tammy and Alexander Stewart (Spokane Valley, WA), and Brian Wiele (Olympia, WA) represented the Epilepsy Foundation Northwest at the Kids Speak Up Conference in Washington, D.C.

The group met with various members of Congress and the House of Representatives and their legislative staff from Oregon and Washington. The children told their personal stories about their journey with epilepsy, and voiced their support for increased funding for research and access programs for people with epilepsy. Kelly and Rachel Cobb brought bags of personalized M&M's to leave with each of the staff and the elected officials as a reminder of their visit.

The group also attended the 4^th Annual National Walk for Epilepsy the weekend following the conference. Music and speakers dotted the platform to ready the crowd, but it wasn't necessary; the energy and spirits were high! An orderly and friendly stroll ensued around the entire National Mall amidst the Washington D.C. cherry blossoms.

Said Brian Wiele, "Thank you for making it possible for me and our Kids Speak Up group to attend. I hope to participate again someday. It was certainly inspiring."

To join the Epilepsy Foundation Northwest Speak Up Speak Out advocacy or Helping Other People with
Epilepsy programs, contact your local EFNW office via www.epilepsynw.org