Dalton Teens & Epilepsy Symposium Fall 2007

November 10, 2007

The Epilepsy Foundation of Georgia will be teaming up with Epilepsy Services of NW Georgia and Children's Medical Services to offer a half day seminar devoted to teen issues in epilepsy. The program will be held on Saturday, November 10 from 9 am until 1:30 pm at Hamilton Medical Center in Dalton. The seminar is free and teens, their parents and peers are encoraged to attend.

Teens face a variety of challenges- body changes, dating, driving, entering college or the job market. When you are a teen with a seizure disorder you face many additional challenges, such as taking your medications, deciding whether to tell your friends you have epilepsy or whether you can participating in sports.

The Teen Seminar will focus on three issues through a series of 45 minute workshops: (1)Medication Does and Don'ts, which will discuss the importance of medication compliance and the effect alcohol and recreational drugs can have on seizure prevention (2) Dating, Driving and Other Teen Dramas which explores the psychosocial issues teens face, and (3) Legal/Vocational Issues When You Have Epilepsy. Each workshop will be led by a trained professional and will be interactive in nature.

This program is made possible by an educational grant from Eisai Pharmaceuticals. To register for the program, get directions to Hamilton Medical Center or get more details on the Teen Seminar, please call (706)226-1248 or e-mail epilepsy@optilink.us.

Epilepsy Symposium 2007
Big Success!!

November 3, 2007

Over 100 participants came to SEE (Seizures and Epilepsy Education) how they could become seizure-free at the 12TH Annual Epilepsy Symposium on November 3. Dr. Robert Mittan presented an in-depth look at the different types of seizures, current diagnostic techniques and treatment options. He addressed the fears and anxieties people have concerning their seizures. During the lunch break, attendees heard an inspiring talk by Chris Maxwell. who recounted his battle back from a nearly fatal case of viral encephalitis. He urged the audience to not give in to seizures, but instead to "seize the day".

Educational exhibits located outside the ballroom provided attendees with a variety of educational materials and resources to cope more effectively with their condition. We would like to thank the following companies and organizations for making the 2007 Symposium possible: UCB, PhRMA, Abbott Laboratories, Ortho-McNeil Neurologics, Cyberonics, Impax Pharmaceuticals, Valeant Pharmaceuticals, GlaxoSmithKline and Pfizer.

The Symposium served as a kick-off to the Georgia Affiliate's Epilepsy Month awareness and education activities.