Bryan Farley Photography

A year ago today, I visited Fresno County for the monthly Fresno Magazine Launch Party.  According to Fresno Magazine, “Fresno Magazine sells more copies and has more subscribers in the Central Valley than Time, Vogue, Martha Stewart and Oprah combined!”

The magazine published my article about Martha Tessmer and the support group Mother of an Angel Friendship Network.  Amy Wood Fienen, the Managing Editor, allowed me to write the article and submit the photos.  I was allowed more control than most writers and photographers.  The article has helped families across the country find support and helped me learn more about telling this type of story.

Often, when the support group celebrates anniversaries, the mothers acknowledge birthdays or angel days of their children who have died. I am glad to acknowledge a different anniversary today. If you wish to see a short gallery of the evening, click on the link. … and in case you are wondering, yes, you might recognize one of the people in the gallery from a popular television show.

The Epilepsy Therapy Project held the 2012 Epilepsy Pipeline Update Conference from February 2 through February 4 in San Francisco. I attended general public sessions on Saturday afternoon February 4, 2012. On February 3, KQED’s Michael Krasny interviewed a few of the participants, including CURE’s Susan Axelrod pictured below.

The epilepsy movement is still finding its voice. This year the Epilepsy Pipeline Update Conference included the “1st ETP Family Day.” (People with epilepsy are “in the family.”)

Families are important advocates. By including families at conferences, something else happens. Families have a chance to meet other families. Mothers of children with epilepsy can meet each other in the hallway. Fathers and uncles can talk about how their son or nephew Danny enjoyed life until he suddenly died.

Somehow, those of us with epilepsy must remember Danny too. People join our community suddenly and they tend to leave suddenly. We must build stronger connections that last beyond our individual lifetimes.