Everyone is different and that’s what makes you So special! Lets learn about our differences and celebrate them

What do the following people have in common?

Vincent Van Gogh Vincent Willem van Gogh was a Dutch Post-Impressionist painter who is among the most famous and influential figures in the history of Western ar

Edgar Allan Poe Edgar Allan Poe was an American writer, editor, and literary critic. Poe is best known for his poetry and short stories, particularly his tales of mystery and the macabre

Prince Prince Rogers Nelson was an American singer, songwriter, musician, record producer and filmmaker

Charles Dickens Charles John Huffam Dickens was an English writer and social critic. He created some of the world's best-known fictional characters and is regarded by many as the greatest novelist of the Victorian era

So what links these famous and talented people?

They all have epilepsy

In the UK around 1: 250 children and 1: 100 adults have epilepsy What is Epilepsy? In the UK around 1: 250 children and 1: 100 adults have epilepsy Epilepsy is a common, chronic neurological disorder characterised by unprovoked seizures

Here are some myths about Epilepsy Epilepsy Myth You can’t go to school when you have epilepsy Epilepsy Myth Epilepsy is contagious Epilepsy Myth People with Epilepsy aren't’ clever

Epilepsy The Facts Epilepsy Fact There are many different types of seizures (approx.40 different types) and unique to the individual Epilepsy Fact Children with epilepsy can go to mainstream primary schools Epilepsy The Facts Epilepsy Fact A seizure is caused by a sudden burst of excess electrical activity in the brain, causing a temporary disruption to the way the normal brain works Epilepsy Fact Sometimes people with epilepsy wear protective headgear to protect their head in case of seizure Epilepsy Fact Epilepsy is usually controlled by medication.

What is life like when you have Epilepsy When doctors are finding out whether someone has epilepsy they run different tests such as an EEG

What happens when someone has a seizure A seizure can be quite scary to see. The person may fall to the floor and might start to shake and move around. This can last from a few seconds to several minutes. The adults looking after the person will make sure they are in a space place and will put them in the recovery position.

During the Seizure When a child has a seizure at school we may call an ambulance. This is just to make sure that we have done everything we can to help the child.

We May ask the rest of the class to leave the room This is so the child having a seizure has plenty of room and more air. It is also so the paramedics can come in and check that everything is ok. It is also not very nice for the child to think that everyone might be watching them

These are the things that the staff will do if a child has a seizure •Keep Calm •Guide the person from danger •Stay with the person until fully recovered •Talk quietly to reassure them •Give medication if needed and phone for an ambulance •Record the time & length of the seizure

What might cause a seizure? Missed or late medication Lack of sleep/tiredness Stress /Excitement High Temperature Flickering lights/photosensitivity

Here is a short video to help us find out more about life with Epilepsy https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AIoF Yj9k9s4&t=89s

At LHPSN we will be sensitive and tolerant to everyone’s differences