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July 2015
Happy Summer!Letter from the Executive Director
Warm summer greetings from Epilepsy Support Centre!
Our office has become much cozier with the addition of six summer students! We are very fortunate to have Allie Zuccon (Strategic Development Officer), Andre Salmon (Therapeutic Recreation Intern), Angela Karuhanga (Therapeutic Recreation Intern), Arjun Singh (Public Relations Assistant), Jordan Hennessey (Youth Engagement Coordinator) and Virginia Allain (Summer Camp Counsellor) join our team for the next couple of months! Many thanks to Employment and Social Development Canada, Ivey Connects/London Life Community Internship Program and Summer Job Service for generously providing summer student funding! The energy and fresh ideas are invigorating and these students are working on some key projects to strengthen The Centre!
We hope you have a wonderful summer! If you have the time, please feel free to stop by and visit! We would love to see you!
Warm Regards,
Executive Director
Susan FitzsimmonsLiving with Epilepsy
Susan Fitzsimons experienced her first seizure nearly 20 years ago. She recalls waking up on the floor at the bottom of the stairs to her kitchen, unsure of what had happened to her. Doctors initially attributed Susan’s seizure to a arteriovenous malformation, an abnormal tangle of arteries and blood vessels in the brain. After several more seizures, Susan was eventually diagnosed with epilepsy.
Life with epilepsy has not come without its challenges for Susan. Her short-term memory has suffered significantly. Susan has also had difficult re-entering the workforce, despite her education and previous work experience. Her memory has proven a significant obstacle to employment, in addition to the stigma associated with epilepsy. In spite of these challenges, however, Susan remains positive about her experience. She is grateful for the support of her husband, and to the services provided by Epilepsy Support Centre. Susan believes that more attention needs to be given to epilepsy, in order for The Centre to grow and continuously improve its services.
More on Susan's story.
Seize the Day Summer CampNEW summer camp available in Windsor-Essex.
Epilepsy Support Centre is hosting its first summer camp for children with epilepsy and seizure disorders and their siblings in Windsor-Essex County! Camp will take place from August 17-21, 2015 and is available for children ages 6-14.
Seize the Day Summer Camp is a place where children can participate in a variety of physical activities, arts and crafts, educational field trips and make friends. Camp runs from 9am - 4pm with before and after care available (additional fees apply).
Location: Essex Community Centre, 25 Gosfield Townline W., Essex, ON
Registration is now open and we are currently seeking participants and volunteers! Please visit our website for more information on how you can participate!
Wacky WednesdayLondon, Summer Camp
Wacky Wednesdays is back, every Wednesday in July and August, from July 8 - August 26. Wacky Wednesday Camp is a camp for children ages 4-12 with epilepsy and their siblings. This unique recreational day camp provides a safe and highly supervised environment in which campers are encouraged to have new experiences and fully participate in activities! Camp runs from 9am-4pm with before and after care available (additional fees apply).
This summer will offer plenty of fun, learning and friendship. Registration fees will fit all budgets and siblings are welcome. We are welcoming two Therapeutic Recreation Interns from Brock University, as well as a summer student who will be this year’s camp coordinators. Camp will take place at Knollwood Park Public School in East London, located at Cheapside and Gammage and will offer many exciting day trips.
Registration cost: $25 per camper/day for first child from a family. $10 per camper/day for additional child from the same family. To register, please complete registration forms available online. Please email tabitha@epilepsysupport.ca for additional information.
We are still seeking volunteers ages 16+ with energy and enthusiasm! Please contact Tabitha for additional information.
Seize the Day RunSave the Date
Save the date! Our Second Annual Seize the Day Run/ Walk will be taking place on Sunday, September 27, 2015 at Kiwanis Park (Hale St. Entrance). Please stay tuned for more information, including how to register. Additional information will be posted on our website shortly.
Parent Opinion SurveyOnline SurveyEpilepsy Support Centre is involved as a patient representative for a proposed project (POPEYE - Prevention of Ongoing Comorbidities through Early Intervention in Youth Living with Epilepsy) lead by Dr. Lionel Carmant. If you are a youth living with epilepsy or a parent of a child who has epilepsy, we would like to hear from you! The survey is available online here.
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Annual Report
Our 2014-2015 Annual Report is completed, please view it online here.
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Regional News & EventsLondon-Middlesex
Community Garden
As of May 2015, Epilepsy Support Centre has received funding from a generous grant provided by TD's Friends of the Environment Foundation to begin a community garden.
Our project was born from listening to many of our clients tell us that they were struggling with access to adequate food and fresh produce, and/or were socially isolating themselves due to fear associated with their condition.
The garden represents a way to bring people together, to collectively care for the garden and share the harvest! We are are currently growing a number of crops and flowers, including tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, spinach, marigolds and beans.
Thank you TD Friends of the Environment!
Social Coffee Club
- Now meeting on a weekly basis, Friday afternoons from 1-3 pm
- Epilepsy Support Centre - 690 Hale Street, London
- For the summer, we will be participating in various outdoor activities in our neighbourhood, with an emphasis on engagement and healthy living.
Adult Fitness Program
- Every Monday and Wednesday, 3-4 pm
- Classes are adaptable to all age groups and physical activities, led by a certified fitness professional and are 100% seizure safe.
Family Fun Night
- First Tuesday of the month, from 7-9 pm.
- Informal support meeting in a relaxed social gathering with a variety of activities; participation is 100% free.
- Centrally located in downtown London with free parking.
Family Seizure Disorder Support Group Meeting
- Third Tuesday of each month, 7-9 pm
- Structured support group involving presentations, discussion topics and sharing of experiences.
- Centrally located in downtown London with free parking.
Chatham-Kent
Free Family Movie Day: Big Hero 6
- Monday, July 20 at 1:00pm
- St. Clair College Capital Theatre
- 238 King St. West, Chatham ON
- Concessions available, including soft drinks, candy and $1.00 popcorn
Adult Support Group - Bring your friends and family event!
- Monday, August 10 at 7:00pm
- Residence on the Thames, Grand Avenue, Chatham
- This month's topic is an education session about seizures and epilepsy. We will be talking about the basics of seizures, current treatment and medication information, seizure first aid and supports available in the community. We will dispel some of the myths and promise to teach you and your loved ones something new!
- Please RSVP to Tabitha no later than Friday, August 7th
Free Movie Day: The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1
- Movie may not be suitable for children
- Monday, August 17 at 6:30pm
- St. Clair College Capital Theatre
- 238 King St. West
- Concessions available including soft drinks, candy and $1.00 popcorn
Windsor-Essex
Seize the Day Summer Camp
- August 17 - 21, 9am - 4pm
- Essex Community Centre, 25 Gosfield Towline W., Essex
- We're excited to be hosting our first summer camp for children with epilepsy and seizure disorders in Windsor-Essex County!
- Currently seeking campers and volunteers. Please complete registration forms to participate.
Summer BBQ
- August 22, 11am - 2pm
- Toddy Jones Park, Amherstburg
- For more information and to RSVP, please contact Jyll at jyllian@epilepsysupport.ca
Third Party Events & Fundraisers
Special Thank You to the Following:
Fifth and Final Rick Berg Invitational Tournament
Thank you to everyone who made this tournament possible. We were fortunate enough to host our Fifth and Final Rick Berg Invitational Golf Tournament at the beautiful Glenn Abbey Golf Club on Thursday, May 28, 2015. With another successful year, we were able to raise over $40,000 toward the Rick Berg Legacy Fund.
As you may recall, the first $20,000 in funds is allocated towards the ongoing operation of the Rick Berg House, home of the Epilepsy Support Centre in London, Ontario. The remaining proceeds from this year’s tournament will be directed towards important research in the area of Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy Patients (SUDEP).
We cannot thank our attendees and supporters enough for their continued support over the past five years. The memories created from each tournament are ones that we will be cherished by Rick's friends and family forever.
 
Kick it up for Kenz Fundraiser
On Saturday, May 30, 2015 Valerie Cull and friends hosted the second annual Kick it up for Kenz Fundraiser in memory of MacKenzie Jordan Scott. Guests enjoyed musical performances, food and a silent auction at this year's event. We would like to thank everyone who came out and helped to raise approximately $2,500 for The Centre.
Thank you to everyone that participated, attended and donated to this event. MacKenzie will not be forgotten and her memory continues to live on in the hearts of many.
Out of the Shadows - Paintball Fundraiser
Phil Abraham, Jamie Wilcox and the Purple Knights held their second annual Out of the Shadows Paintball Fundraiser on June 20, 2015. With over 300 players in attendance, the group was able to raise $3,000 which will be invested back into the Sarnia-Lambton community for local epilepsy services. Thank you for your support!
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