Welcome to Brainwaves, Epilepsy Ottawa's semi-monthly newsletter with the latest in epilepsy and agency news.

Forward

April 2021

Canada Museum of Science and Technology, purple light

If you stopped by the Canada Science and Technology Museum on March 26^th, you may have noticed that their archway and spotlights were purple. This marks the first time that Ottawa participated in #LightTheNight as landmarks from across the country were lit purple to raise epilepsy awareness for Purple Day.

Speaking of raising epilepsy awareness, we'd like to extend a heartfelt congratulations to Louise Blanchet for making such a splash in Cornwall this Epilepsy Awareness Month. Through Louise's hard work, Cornwall city council proclaimed March 26, 2021 as “Purple Day for Epilepsy Awareness” and raised an Epilepsy Awareness flag. Several local news organizations covered Louise's efforts and her epilepsy story, including The Cornwall Local, The Cornwall Seaway News, and The Cornwall Standard-Freeholder.

If you have photos of your Purple Day celebrations or your epilepsy awareness raising efforts, please send them to us at info@epilepsyottawa.ca. It's our collective awareness raising that will make the biggest impact!

Although we couldn't celebrate Purple Day together in person this year, it was wonderful to see so many of you at our Virtual Purple Day Paint Party. We'll continue virtual community events like this until it's safe for us to meet face-to-face. Up next: BINGO Night on Wednesday, April 28.

-Nikki, Jamie, and Sandi

Coordinated Epilepsy Care in Ottawa

Roundtable

If you missed our roundtable discussion about coordinated epilepsy care in Ottawa, you can watch it in the embedded video below or on our YouTube channel. Participants included Dr. Sharon Whiting (CHEO), Nikki Porter (Epilepsy Ottawa), Dr. Katherine Muir (CHEO), Dr. Tad Fantaneanu, and host Mark McAllister (CityNews),

THANK YOU

Recently, several members of our community raised over $1,000 through Facebook fundraisers to support people with epilepsy. Thank you Veronique, Mark, Cassie, Al, and all the anonymous donors for your generosity!

Facebook fundraisers are a simple and effective way for you to support ongoing epilepsy services in our community.

BINGO Night. Wednesday April 28, 2021, 6:30-7:30pm. RSVP to participate online

…And BINGO was his name-o! No, not karaoke.
It’s BINGO night!

Join us for an all ages evening of BINGO fun on April 28, 2021 from 6:30pm-7:30pm.

Everything will be online, so no need to dig out your old bingo dabbers!

Registration is limited and on a first come, first serve basis. To allow for more participants, each household can join on up to 2 devices.

RSVP to receive online participation details.

RSVP

Next UPLIFT workshops start in May

Space is limited. Register today.

“Using Practice and Learning to Increase Favourable Thoughts” (UPLIFT) is a mindfulness-based cognitive behavioural therapy program that improves depression, anxiety, and overall psychological quality of life.

We run groups for adults with epilepsy and groups for parents or guardians of people with epilepsy.

Groups of 5-8 participants meet by teleconference for an hour once a week for 8 weeks. The group is co-facilitated by a mental-health professional and a person with lived experience.

The sessions review different ways living with epilepsy can affect mental health and teaches valuable coping strategies. Some topics include coping and relaxing, monitoring thoughts, and preventing future low moods.

Find out more information about the program or sign up for UPLIFT today at epilepsyottawa.ca/uplift!

Upcoming Community Activities

We now host all our community activities on Microsoft Teams. Once you RSVP to a meeting, we will send you the log in details.

For Adults with Epilepsy and Their Loved Ones

Monthly Evening Social Group
Wednesday, April 21
6PM-7:30PM
RSVP

Wednesday, May 19
6PM-7:30PM
RSVP

Weekly Daytime Social Group
1pm on Mondays
Visit our events page to RSVP.

For Parents/Guardians of People with Epilepsy

Parent Support Group
Wednesday, May 5
7-8 PM
RSVP

Wednesday, June 2
7PM-8PM

RSVP

For Children with Epilepsy and Their Families

Helping Hands
Social Group for kids and teens with epilepsy
Monday, May 10
6PM-7PM
RSVP

Sibling Support Group
Tuesday, April 20
6PM-7PM
RSVP

Monday, June 20
6PM-7PM
RSVP

These meetings are a great way to stay connected and supportive of each other. Visit Epilepsy Ottawa's website for the latest on our upcoming events and activities!

Wear your heart on your sleeve with the Epilepsy Shop!

Epilepsy Ottawa is partnering with Epilepsy Ontario on The Epilepsy Shop. Use Discount Code 004 to receive a 15% discount and support epilepsy services in our community.