This woodcut produced around 1480 shows Saint Valentine in the regalia of a bishop. He is making a sign of blessing over two individuals, who – it may be assumed – following the stopping or prevention of a seizure are lying exhausted on the ground (a boy and a girl, possibly siblings).

In the background, an older couple approaches with gifts of thanksgiving – perhaps the parents.

The permanent success of the healing by Bishop Valentine is suggested by the representation of two animals, into which – according to the biblically-based belief of the medieval Christians – the demons of the disease were driven following their expulsion from the humans. The text in the picture is translated as, "Saint Valentine, pray to God for us in Rufach."

The BC Epilepsy Society has services and resources to assist you. This includes free information materials, educational workshops, and classroom resource kits. Age-appropriate workshops are also available for students. For more information, please contact Elvira Balakshin at 604-875-6704 or at outreach@bcepilepsy.com

My Epilepsy Diary

This free application was created by the Epilepsy Therapy Project for Apple products, however, the product will be available for other mobile carriers in the near future. The electronic diary is a comprehensive data-gathering and reporting tool. It tracks medications and their dosages as well as offers email and text reminders to take medication. The application also keeps a detailed profile of the user, and can document non-epilepsy specific details.

Seizure Tracker

Seizure Disorder Coach

When should you be cautious about applications?

There are many medical assistance applications available on the market today. However, be cautious with products that have a high fee and/or have no reviews or independent assessments. As well, even though there are a few smartphone applications that claim to predict seizures or recognize them, be aware that there are major limitations and criticisms about the viability of these.

Using a Smartphone Seizure Recording App – A Real Life Story

The BC Epilepsy Society is proud to announce that we have rewarded eight $1000 scholarships to people with epilepsy living throughout the province.

Our scholarship program is designed to assist people with epilepsy access post-secondary education and employment training. This will help improve the quality of life for people with epilepsy and their families.

The 2011 scholarship winners ranged in age from 18 to 42, and will be entering or continuing post-secondary studies in a range of fields. This includes environmental science, film, nursing, interior decorating, visual arts, medical research in epilepsy epidemiology, and other arts and science programs.

Here’s what some of the scholarship winners had to say about their experiences living with epilepsy along with their ideas for raising epilepsy awareness:

“I was ten years old when I was first diagnosed with Juvenile Absence Epilepsy. At times my seizure control was excellent and at times it was extremely poor. Sometimes I had side effects from my medication and sometimes I did not. Having epilepsy is difficult. However, I have benefited. Having epilepsy has made me work harder at everything I have done because I never wanted to let epilepsy slow me down or prevent me from doing anything. If anything, it made me want to achieve more than if I didn’t have epilepsy.”

“My goal is to be able to communicate to teachers, students, friends and coworkers that many people in our community have epilepsy and the best way they can help is to continue to support and respect them. It is everyone who lives with epilepsy to be responsible, to be diligent with therapy, be supportive of others with epilepsy and to be part of the effort to raise awareness. Accept them for who they are, not define them for the condition they have.”

“In the future, I will increase epilepsy awareness as a nurse. I have been accepted for September 2011 and can’t wait to get started. As a nurse, I will be surrounded by patients, and staff. I have the personal experience of what it feels like to wake up from a seizure and I can educate staff members of my own experiences and give them a deeper understanding, in contrast to straight out-of-the-textbook information."

“I am not ashamed of my disability. In fact, I do not see it as a disability at all. To me, after years of living with Epilepsy I see it as a challenge and an opportunity. It is a challenge to make me work my hardest and make something of myself to prove that Epilepsy will not hold me back from reaching my full potential.”

“So what can I do to raise awareness? I think the best way would be to start with my own attitude. I need to accept the fact that I have epilepsy. I need to be happy and positive. There may be some limitations to my activities for a while, but it is not the end of the world. If I have a positive attitude, I can show people that living with epilepsy is not only possible but perfectly normal. I can show people that I am a happy, healthy, well adjusted young person. I can work hard at whatever I put my hand to. I can continue volunteering with children to better their lives and give them worthwhile experiences. I can go to school and study to follow my dream, just like anyone else. I can be a useful part of my community and make a difference in the world.”

For more information on the scholarship program from the BC Epilepsy Society, please contact us at 604-875-6704 or at info@bcepilepsy.com

1. What can I claim as a medical expense?

You can claim the total eligible medical expenses you or your spouse or common-law partner paid for:

• Yourself
• Your spouse or common-law partner; or
• Your or your spouse's or common-law partner's children born in 1992 or later and who depended on you for support
• Your or your spouse's or common-law partner's child who was born in 1991 or earlier, or grandchild; or
• Your or your spouse's or common-law partner's parent, grandparent, brother, sister, aunt, uncle, niece, or nephew who was a resident of Canada at any time in the year

Along with prescribed medications, medical expenses you can claim include travel expenses for medical services, respite care expenses, homeopathic services, tutoring services, ambulance transport, and costs associated with seizure response dogs. Below is a list of medical expenses you can and cannot claim in your tax return.

Expenses you can claim: http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/tx/ndvdls/tpcs/ncm-tx/rtrn/cmpltng/ddctns/lns300-350/330/llwbl-eng.html
Expenses you cannot claim: http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/tx/ndvdls/tpcs/ncm-tx/rtrn/cmpltng/ddctns/lns300-350/330/ntllwbl-eng.html

An authorized medical practitioner must prescribe expenses and original receipts must support claims. Eligible expenses must have been paid in the claim period and any reimbursements from insurance companies, work medical plans, etc. must be deducted from the amount claimed.

For more information about medical expenses, read this Canadian Revenue Agency (CRA) webpage.

2. If I have epilepsy, do I qualify for the Disability Tax Credit?

The Disability Tax Credit (sometimes called the disability amount or DTC) is a non-refundable tax credit that reduces income tax payable for eligible individuals. To be eligible, you must meet all three of the following conditions:

• You must have a severe impairment in physical or mental functions.
• Your impairment must be prolonged, which means it has lasted or is expected to last for a continuous period of at least 12 months.
• A qualified medical practitioner certifies that your impairment is severe and prolonged and completes Form T2201, the Disability Tax Credit Certificate, detailing the effects of the impairment applicable to the basic activities of daily living. A qualified medical practitioner can be a medical doctor, optometrist, audiologist, occupational therapist, physiotherapist, psychologist, or speech-language pathologist.

Still not sure? Take this question and answer quiz.

Generally, the Disability Tax Credit is usually given to people with frequent (at least a few times a month) debilitating complex-partial, tonic-clonic, or atonic seizures and/or people with epilepsy who also have other conditions that impair their daily activities (such as mental or physical disabilities). As such, not all people with epilepsy will meet the CRA eligibility for the Disability Tax Credit.

People with epilepsy are unique in their medical condition(s) and needs. Many people with epilepsy do not define themselves as having a disability, but some may be eligible for the Disability Tax Credit, however others may define themselves as having a disability and receive other disability services and financial aid, but may not be applicable for the Disability Tax Credit.

If you are eligible for this credit but are unable to use all or part of it because you have no taxable income – perhaps you did not work, or you earned a limited amount of money, you can transfer the credit it to your spouse, common-law partner, or other supporting person – so they will pay less or no income tax on their tax return.

For more information about the Disability Tax Credit, read this Canadian Revenue Agency (CRA) webpage.

3. If my child has epilepsy, does he/she qualify for the Child Disability Benefit?

The Child Disability Benefit (CDB) is a tax-free benefit of up to $2,470 per year for families who care for a child under age 18 with a severe and prolonged impairment in physical or mental functions.

To be eligible for the Child Disability Benefit (CDB), the child must first be approved to receive the Disability Tax Credit (see above) and the Canada Child Tax Benefit (CCTB). Not all children with medical conditions or disabilities are eligible for the child disability benefit. For example, children with Benign Rolandic Epilepsy (BREC) would not usually be eligible, unless the child also has a severe and prolonged physical or mental impairment. Children with only absence seizures are also not usually eligible.

For more information about the Child Disability Benefit, read this Canadian Revenue Agency (CRA) webpage.

4. Who is eligible for the Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP)

The Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP) is a long term savings plan designed specifically for people with disabilities in Canada. This plan includes a government grant and bond (depending on income).

To be eligible for the Registered Disability Savings Plan, you must be:

• Eligible for the Disability Tax Credit, or Canada Child Tax Benefit if you have a child under the age of 19,
• Have a social insurance number (SIN);
• A resident in Canada at the time the plan is entered into; and
• Under the age of 60