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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuron Expositor, 2006-03-15, Page 21n Jeff Heuchert f3:s1, :2�y`7 111111111111111. March is Epilepsy Awareness Month, and for Brian and Sandra Melady, of Seaforth, , the month has taken on an all new meaning. The couple's three-year-old son Connor was diagnosed with epilepsy in the fall of 2005. His first seizure, which Brian says lasted about one minute, happened at the Melady's house in the living room back in August. "It was the most traumatic. We didn't know what was happening so we called 911. It was very scary," recalls Brian. It was the first of three tonic- clonic seizures Connor would have so far. Tonic-clonic seizures are very com- mon among children and adults with epilepsy. The seizures happen when there is unusual electrical activity in the brain. When they occur muscles stiffen up and the person loses conscious- ness. Their arms and legs will begin to jerk rapidly, bending and relax- ing. After a few minutes, the jerking slows and stops. Consciousness returns slowly, and the person may be drowsy, confused, agitated, or depressed. Following Connor's first seizure, he remained unconscious for about an hour. A seizure is not totally uncommon for children, especially if they've bumped their head, or if they have a fever. So, it wasn't until after Connor's second seizure, which came while the family was at the beach, that the Meladys had a CT scan and MRI performed on their son. The tests showed Connor had nothing wrong with him. In fact, epilepsy is a very difficult disorder to diagnose. "They say 60 to 70 per cent goes unexplained," says Brian. It wasn't until after doctors per- formed an electroencephalogram, or EEG test, which looks for abnormal brain activity, that Connor diag- nosed. Through all the tests, Connorhas been in excellent spirit, says Sandra, especially when the EEG XPi Feature Y ys The Huron Expositor • March 15, 2006 Pop 21` • I„4 eith has all eaning to Seaforth couple test was done. "They probably put 60 to 80 elec- trodes on his head. He had to lie still for about 20 minutes. We just read a book together and he stayed still,” she says, adding that he was just as cooperative with the CT scan. One reason Connor has been so cooperative is that he doesn't know With three other children, two of which have witnessed Connor hav- ing a seizure, they wanted to make sure they knew what to do if a seizure occurs. They've also talked with grand- parents, aunts and uncles and babysitters. It was at Brian's parents' house in October, when Connor had his third Sandra, Connor and Brian Melady he has the disorder. When he awakens after a seizure, it's like he's just been asleep, says Brian. "We've tried not to act too scared when he comes to," he adds. And, the Meladys have done their best to not limit their son's child- hood. "After the first one (seizure) I was very protective. Gradually you go back to normal," says Sandra. But, they do have to be careful and attentive at certain times, says Brian, such as when he goes swim- ming, is at the top of the stairs or on a playground. "It's when you can't be there every minute you worry," says Brian. The Meladys have also done their best in educating their family. seizure. lb better educate themselves, the Meladys have used the services available through Epilepsy Huron - Perth -Bruce, whose office is located in Clinton. They first contacted the organiza- tion for some reading material, but since, have used their services for much more. ey have been very helpful sending us to doctors, telling us things we should know before we go, and what sorts of things to ask," says Sandra. Epilepsy Huron -Perth -Bruce also offers in-house support for those with epilepsy and counselling, according to the education coordina- tor for Epilepsy Ontario Judie Burns. "Our job is to educate people that they're (people with epilepsy) are just like you and me," she says. One of the ways they do this is by going into schools, and businesses, and discussing the disorder, and teaching first aid training for seizures. "If there is a child in a school we'll often educate the entire school," she says. One of these presentations was done this year at St. James in Seaforth, where Connor will begin attending next year. So far, =Burns says they've educat- ed over 1,200 students. September will be a stressful time_ for the Meladys. "It's a big enough obstacle meeting kids who aren't critical, but then this," she says. Misconceptions that effect those with epilepsy include the belief epilepsy` is a disease, it is conta- gious, or that epilepsy causes vio- lent behavior and leads to criminal activity. "A lot of people generalize and see people convulsing and people that have not been educated think they're making it up," says Burns. The Meladys are currently waiting to see a neurologist that specializes in epilepsy. They will be discussing the possi- bility of putting Connor on medica- tion, which would help control the seizures. Sandra says she has not spent much time thinking about the diffi- culties Connor could face in the future. While there is no cure for epilepsy, in some cases, it can just go away. "He could grow out of it, or he could have it for life," says Brian. "We're obviously hopeful." To commemorate March being Epilepsy Awareness Month, laven- der bracelets are available at 11 locations in Seaforth. At a cost of $3, the money will all stay in the local community to help support Epilepsy Huron -Perth - Bruce's services. If you are interested in purchasing a bracelet you can contact Brian Melady at 527-1229.