“So I figured that while we were at the place of learning, we might as well learn about Epilepsy because it is so common, (1 in 26 people),” stated Grace Edwards, an eighth-grade BYMS student on what inspired her to help create Epilepsy Day. On November 30, 2016, Epilepsy -Wear Purple Day occurred at BYMS.

Epilepsy is a neurological disorder marked by sudden recurrent episodes of sensory disturbance, loss of consciousness, or convulsions, which causes abnormal electrical activity in the brain. Epilepsy also stands for “seizure disorder”. “A neurological disorder is any disorder of the body nervous system,” according to disabled-world.com.

“Epilepsy is the fourth most common neurological disorder and affects people of all ages,” epilepsy.com. There are 65 million people in the world with Epilepsy. In fact, 1 in 26 people in the United States will develop Epilepsy at some point of their life.

“When I was nine years old I thought the best way to spread awareness was with talent and fashion shows. While people are there we teach them about epilepsy, and seizure first aid,” later added Grace Edwards.

Edwards runs a non-profit organization called Talent for Epilepsy. This organization creates family friendly events that promote Epilepsy awareness. All proceeds go to those who have Epilepsy.

If you encounter someone who is having a seizure, you can help by remembering the 4 S’s of seizure first aid. The first thing to do is to lay the person on their side. Then, you place something soft under their head. After that, you must stay with the person. Finally, you always need to remember to be safe.

To raise awareness for Epilepsy, wear purple on March 26th, Purple Day. “Purple Day is an international grassroots effort dedicated to increasing awareness about epilepsy worldwide,” according to purpleday.org.

More ways to help, learn more, and donate go to talentforepilepsy.com or epilepsy.com.