Clinton News-Record, 1984-10-24, Page 3ria fi..'l;i,
Epilepsy Awareness Evening s
TF.,,W ' BD.,. WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 24,1984 --''ACE 3
communication for epileptics, families
By James Friel
CLINTON - While much of the attention of
society is focused on the physical effects .of
epilepsy, equally important are the
psychological effects on the affected in-
dividual and family and friends.
The Huron County Chapter of Epilepsy
Ontario invited Dr. Robert Glueckauf,
Ph.D., Clinical Health Psychologist of
University Hospital in London to discuss the
psychological impact of epilepsy and
methods to maintain constructive com-
munication between those involved. Dr.,
Glueckauf spoke during the chapter's
Epilepsy Awareness Evening on October 17.
Following his introduction by Marjorie
Vere, Co-ordinator of Services of the Huron
Chapter, Dr. Glueckauf tried to assess ma-
jor concerns of those attending the evening,
then attempted to answer them during his
presentation and the following discussion.
Dr. Glueckauf said three areas influence
the way people feel about those with epilep-
sy and noted that many of these ideas
operate because of the "spread effect."
• "When a person has a seizure, those see-
ing it automatically make a number of
assumptions about that person," said the
doctor. Among the assumptions are the
fallacies that epileptics should not have
families because the condition spreads,
epileptics have a lack of sexuality and they
need a lot of care.
Another assumption, made by some of
those in the health care profession, is that
there are personality traits that indicate an
epileptic person.
Closely connected with the first area is
that in which people believe that disabled
people should be grouped together "and
marry their own kind."
Again, in this area there is the idea that
disability breeds disability, but, although
not much time has passed since epileptics
were sterilized in institutions, it has been
established that the condition is not
genetically based.
"It is more effective to suggest involve-
ment in groups sharing the same interests
than to shunt them off into epilepsy self help
groups," said the doctor. '
The third area influencing attitudes is the
fear of what it would be like having seizures.
"My god, 'I'd fall apart if that 'happened to
me. They must be just miserable," was Dr.
Glueckauf's example of typical reactions.
"This is the kind of ineffective thinking the
public has about epilepsy."
A difficult situation can developif
seizures affect a family member later in life
and the 'above attitudes have previously
been developed.
"This can help set people up for failure,"
said the psychologist, because the epileptic
family member will often be treated as
though he or she cannot properly function.
"If you think of that person as a cripple,
and treat that person like a cripple, that per-
son could react like a cripple." If family and
friends don't have expectations, the epilep-
tic may realize there are no conditions on
him or her.
The best way to combat misconceptions is
to become a positive communicator and
develop into a good observer and an active
listener.
An'effective observer will carefully watch
the other person and will include the
gestures in an assessment of the conversa-
tion. Eye contact, tone of voice and voice
level'are other clues.
There are three levels of active listening,
said Dr. Glueckauf. The most basic is the
head nod and words such as "right" and
"yeah" to encourage the speaker.
The second level is to paraphrase what the
person is saying in your own words to ensure
the speaker knows you understand. Also, it
is, "better to listen than to jump to conclu-
sions." Dr. Glueckauf says the third area is
a combination of paraphrasing and feelings:
"Tell the person what you heard them say,
then talk about the feeling behind it."
The hardest observations to make are of
the self but the doctor said, as an example,
that if an individual notices tension in his or
her self it should be revealed and discussion
is better left until later to avoid an argu-
ment.
These . communications skills are a
necessary element, especially in dealing
with the frustration which cat' get quite in-
tense for the epileptic with "doctors,
teachers, parents and so on telling them
what to do, said the doctor.
Dr. Glueckauf's presentation was follow-
ed by a dicussion involving those attending
the meeting centering primarily on medica-
tion.
Day Care Ventre to hold fall
CLINTON - The Huron Day Care Centre Nancy Wise, has been creating a variety of
for the Homebound is readying for their big- crafts and needlework for the bazaar. Along
gest event of the year, the Second Annual with Christmas crafts, draws and a bake
Day Centre Bazaar. It will be held on Satur- .table, the bazaar will feature 'Hallowe'en
day, October 27 from 10 a.m. to 1.p.m. items and goodies.
The bazaar will beheld on Main Street Last year's bowling awards were
Clinton, and thanks to the generosity of Mr., presented on October 4. Winners included:`'
and Mrs: John Alilovik, the previous "tem- Bob Groves of Goderich, high average; •
porary library" location; has been donated . George Bernard of Clinton, high double; Pat
for the bazaar. Watson of Brussels, high' single; Les
For several months the. clients and McKenzie of Seaforth, most improved
volunteers, working under the guidance of bowler. Honorable mentions went to
activity directors Sandra Davidson and Frances Dunn of Zurich, Shirley Haggerty
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Feedback keeps goals on target
Good communications skills can help
avoid many of the problems and frustra-
tions Inherent in the 'relationships between
epileptics and the many people they come
into contact with throughout the day.
Dr. Robert Glueckauf of University
Hospital in London believes that with "feed-
back" the psychological impact between
epileptics, and in fact any disabled person,
and others can be considerably lessened.
"Feedback is a way of helping another
person to consider changing his behavior. It
is communication to a person {or group)
which gives that person information about
how he affects others. As in a guided missile
system, feedback helps an individual keep
his behavior "on target" and thus achieve
his goals."
1. Useful feedback is descriptive rather
than evaluative. This reduces the need for a
person to act defensively.
2. Useful feedback is specific rather than
general.
3. Useful feedback takes into account the
needs of both the receiver and the feedback
giver. It can be destructive if the feedback
only serves our own needs and fails to con-
sider the needs of the person on the receiv-
ing end.
4. Useful feedback is directed toward
behavior the receiver can change. Frustra-
tion is increased when a person is reminded
of shortcomings over which he has no con-
trol.
5. Feedback should be solicited rather
than imposed. It is more useful when the
receiver has formulated the kind of question
the observer can answer. Don't force your
opinions on the other person.
6. Timing is crucial. Feedback is most
useful at the earliest opportunity after the
given behavior. It depends on the person's
readiness to hear the feedback and the sup-
port available from others. Timing is also
important when giving compliments.
7. Feedback should be checked to ensure
clear communication (paraphrasing.) Have
the receiver rephrase the feedback he has
received to see if it corresponds with what
the sender had in mind.
The above advice when correctly used, can
help an individual give negative criticism
skillfully, without engaging the receiver's
d f'
e antes.
bazaars
•
of Clinton, Clayton . Steel of Huronview, ,
Sharon Warwick of Brussels, Elaine Leddy
of Goderich, Vera Thiel of Zurich, and Alex
McMichael of Goderich.
Volunteers who helped at the bowling
alley were June McCowan of Clinton, Bob'
Thompson of Londesboro,x Edwin =Zeale of
Summerhill, and Marion Hill of Brucefield:
Don McWhinnie was also thanked for
welcoming the Huron Day Care bowlers..
Other activities included countryside
tours to view the fall colors. Scruton Fuels
Ltd. donated the bus. and Marion Peck of
Clinton was the driver. •
Placing the final -piece of Plexiglas at the Clinton Arena are Kinsmen Steve Carter I left',
Harvey Carter and Rick Somerville. Also present mere Arena Chairman Bill Craig,
Recreation Director Kevin Duguay 'and Facilities Manager Butch Fleet. Over the past
year, the Clinton Kinsmen held fund raising events in order to buy the glass which cost
over $10.000. They also installed the glass themselves. 1 Anne Narejko photo i
Piexiglass now at arena
CLINTON - "The Kinsmen organization
should be applauded for their donation of
money and time towards the project,"
stated Recreation Director Kevin Duguay.
Mr. Duguay was referring to the Plexiglas
the Clinton Kinsmen not only bought for the
Clinton Arena, but also installed. Now spec-
tators can feel safe when the puck comes
flying in their direction.
Over the past year, they have been
holding fund raising events'in order to raise
the money required for the project. Acca; --
ding to Past President Harvey Carter, the
glass cost over 310,000 and required between
100-110 man hours to install.
Mr. Carter and Dave Dalzell chaired the
project while the rest of the Kinsmen
members assisted with the installation.
"Their contribution is one of lasting 'value
both for the participants and the patrons of
the arena," concluded Mr. Duguay.
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