Miss the Dance?

As an epilepsy Warrior, Karen Fisher has brought together family and friends and started the team now known as The Fisher Family and Friends for Epilepsy and on an annual basis raises money for Epilepsy Advancement and Research. 

Together our mission is to show those with epilepsy they are not alone and to find hope through advancement and research. 

Epilepsy is the fourth most common neurological disease that affects people of all ages, young children and people over 65 are most common.  It is a chronic disorder characterized by unpredictable seizures caused by abnormal activity occurring in the brain.  A person is diagnosed with epilepsy if they have two or more unprovoked seizures that were not caused by a known medical condition.  

With over 40 different types of seizures they are commonly classified into two categories of either focal or generalized.  Focal (or partial) seizures occur when the activity is limited to one brain hemisphere.  Generalized seizures occur when there is widespread activity in both the right and left hemispheres of the brain.

There is much more to epilepsy than seizures and most of these effects are “inside” and that is why it is often known as a HIDDEN illness.  The following are just a few of the other impacts of the disorder:

• Depression
• Social activities
• Lifestyle changes
• Cognitive impairment
• Memory challenges
• Limited independence

Having seizures affects a persons relationships, work, safety, driving and many other day to day aspects of life.  There is no cure for epilepsy however, most cases are controlled by medication, although these medication may stop seizures they often lead to other challenges such as those listed.  

Approximately 30% of people with epilepsy are uncontrolled and may find help with brain surgery, ketogenic diet, vangus nerve stimulator and other alternative medicine.