Eyal – Israel Epilepsy Association
Epilepsy is a common brain disorder. Epilepsy patients suffer uncontrolled surges of intense electrical activity in their brain a.k.a. seizures. These seizures take on many different forms – varying from brief instances of loss of awareness ("absence" seizures) to long dramatic convulsions. Epilepsy might arise at different ages for a wide array of reasons.
In Israel alone there are approximately 85,000 patients (according to a 2017 survey). This is close to 1% of the population. Epilepsy patients take medication that is intended to control the seizures. However, for some 30% (!) of patients the seizures continue despite trying different prescription drugs. Other treatments are also available such as Ketogenic diet, Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS), brain surgery and as of recently medical cannabis.
Whether or not the seizures are controlled, the life of a person with epilepsy is filled with personal and social struggle:
- Loneliness and fear of the next seizure which may come at any moment without warning.
- Coping with side effects of the medications
- Side effects of the seizures themselves
- Prejudice and rejection by peers
- Difficulties in finding a spouse
- Difficulties in finding a job
- Lack of awareness, regulation and training within the education system
- Driver's license limitations
- Lack of specialized physicians and long wait for diagnostic examinations
- High costs of diagnosis and treatment
Eyal – Israel Epilepsy Association</b> is a non-profit organization founded in 1985 by parents of children with epilepsy. We are still governed by a group of volunteers – people with epilepsy and family members of people with epilepsy alongside medical professionals who care about epilepsy patients. Eyal strives to improve the wellbeing and quality of life of people with epilepsy and their families.
Eyal's activities
- Activating an information center for helping patients finding treatment and government sponsored programs.
- Support groups and personal support for epilepsy patients and for parents of children with epilepsy.
- Raising public awareness and acceptance of people with epilepsy
- Tutors for children with epilepsy and assistance in school
- Promoting relevant government regulations and laws
- Promoting government financial support for epilepsy treatment and other special needs unique to epilepsy patients.
- Lectures, workshops, and other events for exchanging information and ideas.
- Promotion of healthcare services and research