Four Seasons of Epilepsy Awareness
Winter, spring, summer or fall… but mostly fall.
The 2017 Epilepsy Foundation of Northern California’s annual Candlelight Gala was last weekend. This year, EFNC held the event at the Four Seasons in San Francisco.
I have had epilepsy for more than thirty years. I have been photographing epilepsy events for almost ten years. Those of us with epilepsy have been searching for ways to communicate what we experience. Besides writing and speaking about epilepsy, I give pictures.
Here are some of those images from the candlelight gala.
Another person with epilepsy created a virtual reality experience. People without epilepsy could “take a first glimpse into the world of Jane.” As I understood the experience, Jayne says what she feels, thinks and hears after a seizure. Participants could see how Jane struggled to make sense of some of her surroundings.
I would like to create a virtual reality experience application for smartphones that we could install for each season. I would especially want my friends to experience the VR Epilepsy Empathy application during the holiday season when everyone is celebrating. You could put on the VR application and hear your neurologist remind you to avoid alcohol and stress. Later, you can go to all the stressful parties that include alcohol and receive updates from your virtual neurologist.
Something even more incredible than a virtual experience happened last weekend. Actual people with epilepsy appeared. Three people with epilepsy shared their “journey with epilepsy.” One person is the co-founder of YouTube.
Another person with epilepsy, Miles Levin, received the Community Volunteer of the Year Award. Miles makes films, which is another form of virtual reality. He is changing how people view us. He is increasing awareness.
November is Epilepsy Awareness Month, but every season brings new challenges and new reasons for carry on.