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The Citizen, 2006-02-09, Page 21I BDO BDO Dunwoody, LLP Chartered Accountants and Advisors Offering a full range of services: auditing, accounting, business planning, income tax planning, personal financial planning, computer and management services. Alan P. Reed. CA P.O. Box 1420, 152 Josephine St., Winghani, ON NOG 2W0 areed@bdo.ca 357-3231 Offices throughout Ontario and Canada BLAKESTYLE DESIGN & DRAFTING - Residential and Agricultural Building Design - Certified Building Plans - Realistic 3-Dimensional computer generated models to help see exactly what your new building or renovation will look like from all angles CHRIS BLAKE (519) 887-8102 (519) 955-2343 S holdice INSURANCE LTD. "Locally owned & operated" P.O. Box 69 470 Turnberry Steet Brussels, ON NOG 1110 (519) 887-6100 Fax: (519) 887-6109 e-mail:dsholdice@hinwinsurance.com D & J CONSTRUCTION Jim McDonald 887-9607 • General Carpentry • Roofing • New Buildings & Renovations LEE'S SERVICE CENTRE 348 Dinsley St., Blyth, Ontario Repairs to all makes & models of cars & trucks Air Conditioning • Car Oiling • Snow Removal Mon. - Fri. 8 am - 5:30 pm; Sat. 8 am - 12 noon .42111 -#1111111111111_. CHRIS LEE: Phone: Bus. 519-523-9151 Res. 519-523-4343 KNOW WHERE TO GO t--r4 t Develop and practice a home fire escape plan so if a fire starts everyone knows two ways out of every area. '400N *•34F, r,` PAUL COOK ELECTRIC Home, Farm & Commercial Wiring BELGRAVE 357-1537 Looking for a good book? Drop by either of our offices for a great selection of books for all ages The Citizen THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2006. PAGE 21. EHPB works to increase awareness of epilepsy Epilepsy Huron-Perth-Bruce's (EHPB) mission is to increase the level of public awareness in the community so as to ensure that people affected by epilepsy are able to participate fully in all aspects of community life. At times, this, work is frustrating and disconcerting, probably due to the fact that epilepsy, for centuries, has been stigmatized. It is hard to believe that people still believe that having a seizure means you are possessed by some type of evil spirits. Can you imagine what it truly feels like to drop down suddenly in the grocery store unconscious, with your body doing things you have no control over; perhaps waking up to find a group of onlookers staring at you? This happens to hundreds of people living in the community. Would you know what to do? The aforementioned seizure is only one of over 40 different types of seizures that people experience. Some you may not even recognize a seizure as you may think that the person you are speaking to is in a daze? Over the past 20 years, EHPB has produced educational materials, gave thousands of presentations, visited people in their homes, visited schools and workplaces and talked about epilepsy. Still people in the community feel discriminated against. Regardless of opinion, epilepsy is a very big problem that needs support. It is an important cause — one that' is more important than the risk of "negative PR". In our struggle to raise awareness of epilepsy within our community, some points need repetition. • Epilepsy is common — very, very common. It affects more than 1.1 — 1.3 per cent of Canadians have recurrent seizures. • Epilepsy is a symptomatic disorder, not a disease; any process that can injure the brain (trauma, stroke, infection, tumour, substance abuse) can lead to epilepsy. • Anyone at any age can develop epilepsy, at any time; an accidental fall down a staircase, involvement in a motor vehicle accident or any number of events can lead to epilepsy. • You probably know someone with epilepsy, but you may not be aware of it. Many people with epilepsy choose not to discuss it because of the myths, misconceptions and prejudices that surround this disorder. • Many people with epilepsy live normal, productive lives; people from every walk of life (men, women, children, professionals, labourers, students, athletes, etc.) have epilepsy. • Epilepsy is not contagious. • Epilepsy does not cause violent behaviour or lead to "criminal tendencies." • Epilepsy does not lead to "insanity." • Epilepsy is the second most common chronic neurological disorder affecting humankind — only chronic headache is a more common problem. • Unlike many disorders (stroke, dementia) that tend to onset in the later years of life, epilepsy most commonly affects children and young adults. Its socioeconomic impact is immense, since it affects people at the onset of their most productive years. • Epilepsy is not a minor "nuisance problem." People can die from epilepsy; sudden unexplained death in epilepsy (SUDEP) is a tragic occurrence in children and young adults in Canada. • There is no cure for epilepsy; no drug can be taken to prevent the onset of epilepsy after an injury, such as a motor vehicle accident. Drugs for epilepsy are merely symptomatic agents that suppress the occurrence of seizures, not the onset of • epilepsy. Current treatments for epilepsy are like aspirin, offering symptomatic relief but no cure. • Since there is no cure to prevent epilepsy, the management of seizures and life style of the person . with epilepsy are paramount. • Compared to other chronic neurological disorders (muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis) epilepsy is a grossly under-funded medical disorder. Fundraising to find the cause of epilepsy is difficult — very, very difficult. EHPB will continue with the support of United Way to educate and enlighten the community about epilepsy, and support various programs. Please help in heightening awareness in March (epilepsy awareness month) by wearing a lavender bracelet. These will be available at many local businesses during the Lavender campaign. Cost is only $3 and all money raised will stay in the local community to support the programs. For more information call us at 519-482-5527, fax 519-482-5379 or e-mail epilepsy@tcc.on.ca EFAO offers courses on ecological practices Again this winter, the Ecological Farmers Association of Ontario (EFAO) is offering courses on ecological and organic farm practices in southwestern Ontario. The two-day introduction to ecological agriculture course will be held in Clinton on Feb. 15 and 16 and in Comber on Feb. 28 and March 1. This course provides an introduction to the principles of ecological and organic farming and is designed to help participants consider how they can make their farm practices more ecological. Topics covered include cover crops, crop rotation, weed management, livestock health, composting and soil management. Farmers considering the transition to organic, experienced organic farmers and new farmers will all find the course valuable. The cost of the course is $100 or $150 for two people from the same farm. On March 7, EFAO will host a special daylong seminar with Joe Scrimger on soil health and fertility in organic systems in Guelph. This seminar will cover the importance of minerals and soil biology in the soil system, the soil food web and how human and animal health is tied to— soil health. The cost of the seminar is $60 per person or $100 for two people from the same farm, if pre- registered, lunch included. Two new one-day courses will be offered in March. Finding the balance - interpreting soil tests for organic farmers will explore how to better use soil tests and discuss soil amendments allowed under organic certification. The course will be held in Sparta on March 18 and in Wroxeter on March 22. A direct marketing course which explores the pros and cons of direct marketing and different types of direct marketing will be held in St. Marys on March 25. The cost of these courses is $40. For more information or to register for any of the above courses and seminars contact Karen Maitland at 519-822-8606 or info@efao.ca Beat the temptation. ;It smokers'HELPLINE CANADIAN CANCER SOCIETY TOLL-FREE Business Directory Frank Workman\ Electric (Akc 20 years serving Brussels & area 'Farm 'Home 'Commercial R.R. #3, Brussels s.. 887-6867