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Camps for Kids
It's that time of year. No matter where you are in the province, whether you're looking at cherry blossoms or melting snow, birds coming back or crocuses blooming, it is undeniably Spring. Thank goodness, right? That means that it's also time for us to start thinking about summer camps, and all the opportunities that are available for kids with epilepsy. These days, there are quite a lot, and they are definitely worth looking into.
Last summer, after I spoke to the kids who had just come back from Zajac Ranch, it was obvious that they'd all had a great time, and that the experiences and acceptance they had enjoyed in that short week would stick with them for months. With those testimonials in mind, it was no surprise for me to read this article from the Associated Press on the rise in camps for kids with chronic conditions, and the great results being seen by facilitators and parents. As the article states, kids benefit from participating in sports and activities that are tailored to their safety needs, and they also get to normalize their condition a bit by meeting other kids who also have seizures, and can relate in a way that no one else can. I especially loved the quote by one little camper saying
'"You get to learn about each other, how you're not different from
everyone," he says. Plus, "It was kind of special because not just
anybody can go there."'
It's not that we want to encourage elitism, but it's nice to hear that kind of pride for a change. I'm interested to see that studies are actually being done on the psychological and behavioural improvements enjoyed by kids who attend camps, since it can take more than anecdotal evidence to gain the funding and resources needed to make these experiences available to more and more kids. In the meantime, the BC Epilepsy Society is happy to offer kids the chance to attend camps around the province, and experience those good times for themselves.
First off, there are the Easter Seals Camps. This will be the first year that we have had an official relationship with this group, and we are thrilled to be involved. Last summer, Elvira, Shawn and I visited their Squamish camp, and with all the ropes courses, organized games, and involved staff, we didn't want to leave. The Easter Seals have camps in Squamish, Winfield, and Shawnigan Lake, so they are accessible from many parts of the province. They schedule week by week all summer based on various guidelines of age and ability, so if you would like guidance regarding the appropriate pick for your child, give us a call, and we will put you in touch. Camp attendance is free on a first come, first serve basis. The applications have been available since the beginning of April, so if you would like to apply, please visit their website, and download a registration form. The BC Epilepsy Society will be offering travel subsidies for camp attendance, so please contact us for more information.
The Zajac Ranch is another great spot for kids with epilepsy. Each summer, they schedule one specific week for kids with seizures, and this year, that will be from July 14th to the 20th. Their camp is in Mission, and it's also full to the brim of great activities and events that would rival any summer camp in the country. In collaboration with the Zajac Ranch, the BC Epilepsy Society is happy to offer subsidies to offset the cost of registration. If you are interested in the camp, please visit their website for more information, and a registration form. To be eligible for our subsidy, please send completed applications to our office, at #510-999 West Broadway, Vancouver, V5Z 1K5. They will be due in no later than 6 weeks before the camp date.
As if these camps weren't enough, through our great relationship with the Epilepsy Foundation Northwest in Washington and Oregon, we have been working out the possibilities of sending some kids down to their great Camp Discovery just outside of Tacoma. Stay tuned for those details! In the meantime, enjoy this warmer weather, think about camps for kids, and get outside, no matter how old you are!
Posted by Kathryn Sykes at April 16, 2008 3:00 PM
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Filed Under: Go Canucks!
The BC Epilepsy Society and 11 lucky kids owe a big thank you to Marcus Naslund and all the staff at Orca Bay for a fantastic experience at the Canucks game on Monday night. He generously donated his private box to us for the evening, so we watched the Canucks beat the Coyotes from the best seats in the house - Nazzy's Suite! It was a great game, so I'm pretty sure we were good luck. We certainly cheered loud enough!
In between hockey, hotdogs, and pizza, the kids also had a chance to get to know each other a bit, chatting about their personal experiences with epilepsy, and their favourite Canucks (I'll always be loyal to Linden). Some of you may have seen my shining moment of stardom - in the first intermission, Tasha Chiu stopped by to profile us for a TV time out. The interview was only about 60 seconds, but the exposure for our Society was great, and I think I was able to squeeze in the important points. Thankfully, I wasn't thinking about how many people might be watching!
This was our second year in Nazzy's Suite, and with his generosity, I hope we'll be able to continue to make it a yearly event. If you didn't get to join us this year, sign up for our eNewsletter so that you won't miss the call for entries next season! In the meantime, Go Canucks, Go!
Team BC Epilepsy, 2008:
Cheering for Naslund and the rest of the team:
Posted by Kathryn Sykes at March 20, 2008 11:00 AM
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Filed Under: Valentine’s Day: Not Just For Lovers!
As Valentine’s Day approaches, remember that this special day
is not just for lovers, it’s for people with epilepsy too. While most people associate St. Valentine with
being the saint of lovers, he actually was also the patron saint of people with
epilepsy.
How St. Valentine became the patron saint of choice is
uncertain. Epilepsy was once known as
the “falling sickness” because some seizures cause a person to lose
consciousness and fall down. One
theorist points out that Valentine sounds much like the German word for
“fallen”. Still other legends propose
that a 3rd century bishop named Valentine von Terni freed the son of
a Roman orator from an epileptic seizure.
Because many people in ancient times believed their medical symptoms
were due to spiritual forces, it made sense for them to combat these perceived
forces with saints. Patron saints in
particular were believed to have restorative abilities for specific conditions.
Today, medical research and an increasing variety of
scientifically proven therapies have helped bring relief to the lives of over
30,000 people living with epilepsy in British Columbia. Valentine’s Day can be looked as a reminder
of this progress, and also highlight the critical need for more awareness,
support, and understanding to improve the day to day lives of individuals and
families affected by seizures.
Posted by Elvira Balakshin at February 1, 2008 2:00 PM
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Filed Under: The Happy Stress of Holidays
At this time of year, with Christmas, Hanukkah, and other family
celebrations approaching, I always remember that an event
doesn't have to be bad to be be stressful. When I think of stress, I
think of being pulled in too many directions at once, and feeling
frazzled and worn out. Even though they are ultimately good things, all
the juggling of
shopping, social engagements, and rich food can really push you to the
limit,
not to mention the tying up of school and work projects before the New
Year.
I love the holidays, and I love being busy and excited, but I know that
I can't enjoy it if I let myself get run down to the point that my
health is compromised. With that in mind, we all need to come up with
some strategies to stay healthy and enjoy the time with family and
friends. Since you know yourself better than anyone else, you know what
your
warning signs are, and what sort of time and situation you need to
recharge. Basically, I'm not telling you to skip the eggnog or the
parties (because that would be criminal); I'm telling you to listen to
yourself, and grab those quiet moments when you can. Make your health a
priority so that you'll have the staying power to see the people you
love, and the energy to whip up your famous butter tarts. Feel free to
bring some of those by the office, by the way!
The key is to take care of yourself, and enjoy this festive season.
Leave a comment and let us know how you're going to do that!
Posted by Kathryn Sykes at December 5, 2007 1:00 PM
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Filed Under: New Faces at the Panel Discussion
At our Ask an Expert Panel Discussion last night, it was a pleasure to see some new faces, catch up with old members, and learn about all the common and specific concerns about life with epilepsy. The evening was a success, as we addressed questions ranging from how to tell a young boy's peers about his seizures, to the complex relationship between seizures and sleep.
Dr. Farrell, a pediatric neurologist, and Kelly McMillan, a nurse clinician, offered thoughtful and thorough answers to many questions regarding the medical issues of epilepsy. As a social worker, I did my best to represent the great resources of our Society and our broader community. I was happy that Shawn and Elvira were there to add their input, as well.
Although Dr. Farrell, Kelly and I were coming from different areas of expertise, all three of us spoke about the need for independence, education, and social support for people with epilepsy. Of course, complete seizure control is always the main goal, but with the large range of issues that may or may not influence a person's health, and their seizures in turn, it is key to take a wider view.
A number of questions through the night related to the lectures we have scheduled for the rest of the series, so Shawn, Elvira and I are happy with our planning! The questions specific to Women and Epilepsy (which may also be of interest to plenty of men) will be addressed in greater detail on January 15th, by Dr. Townsend. In March, we will come back to the issues of Stress Management, and in May, we will round out the series with a presentation on Epilepsy Medications. For details and dates as they become available, please click here. If you didn't make it out on Monday, or if you'd like to discuss any questions of your own, give us a call at 604-875-6704, or email us at info@bcepilepsy.com.
Posted by Kathryn Sykes at November 14, 2007 4:00 PM
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Filed Under: Ask An Expert About Epilepsy!
On Tuesday, November 13th The BC Epilepsy Society will be presenting a panel discussion with epilepsy specialists as part of our 2007-2008 Speaking Of Epilepsy Lecture Series.
The topic is "Ask An Expert", and we've brought together three individuals experienced in the medical and social issues related to epilepsy. Dr. Kevin Farrell, Kelly McMillan, and Kathryn Sykes will present information and answer audience questions from their expertise of a neurologist, nurse clinician, and social worker. Bring your ideas and thoughts for discussion - we're looking forward to seeing you there!
The Speaking of Epilepsy Lecture Series is held at the Chan Auditorium at the Children's and Women's Health Centre of BC (4480 Oak Street, Vancouver). All lectures begin at 7 PM. Admission is free for current members, or $10 for non-members. Please contact the BC Epilepsy Society at 604-875-6704 or at info@bcepilepsy.com if you require further information.
Details about previous and upcoming lectures are available here.
Posted by Elvira Balakshin at October 31, 2007 11:45 AM
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Filed Under: General Disneyland Dreams Take Flight For Kids With Epilepsy
We're very happy to report that five kids with epilepsy were able to make their first trip to Disneyland thanks to a collaboration between the BC Epilepsy Society and Dreams Take Flight. These kids joined 120 other kids and adult volunteers as part of an all-expenses paid trip to Disneyland on October 23rd. This extra special event included lots of surprises for all the kids involved, including meeting Disney characters, receiving Disney spending money, and other cool kid treats.
I accompanied the group along with additional adult volunteers from Air Canada to ensure that the different needs and wishes of the kids were accommodated. It made me see that this trip helped foster not only happiness, but also a sense of independence for the kids. They got to meet other kids with epilepsy and go on lots of different rides, explore the various fantasy neighborhoods, and take ice cream and slushee breaks together.
Everyone returned home that night safe, healthy, and very happy. I suspect that the memories from this trip will last a lifetime for these kids, along with the feelings of hope and compassion they experienced from the Air Canada volunteers who made this trip possible through Dreams Take Flight.
Posted by Elvira Balakshin at October 26, 2007 1:00 AM
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Filed Under: General
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