Every child has a right to happy childhood and a right to education,
Every child has a right to ACADEMICS, SUCCESS AND ACHIEVEMENT
with a  positive attitude by parents
So why should children who are affected by epilepsy be left behind?
Why should they not be looked upon as normal and just be given the support they need through proper medication and the support by parents/

Dr.Sitaraman, developmental pediatrician and advisory committee member Bhavani CDC inaugurated the programme. He said that while seizures can be controlled with medicines parents should support their children with a positive attitude and not believe on myths and superstitions.

Ms.Dharma Raman. Counselor for parents of children, who suffered epilepsy, said that the need to support and guide parents and care givers of children with epilepsy will go a long way to help them deal with the condition in a more informed manner.
She also said that a parent’s forum can be created which can support children in a positive way to make their lives meaningful and successful
Ms. Dharma Raman talked about the types of epilepsy, the do’s and don’ts of dealing with the children, and the difficulties that are faced when the parents believe in myths, superstitions and God men.

The participants were parents, Rotarians and care givers and doctors. The question hour was very lively with many queries related to the problems faced like the social stigma attached to epilepsy, educational programmes to develop concentration and memory development and methods to educate the affected children.

LET US WORK TOWARDS A BRIGHT FUTURE FOR PEOPLE WITH EPILEPSY

A Programme for parents of children with history of epilepsy On the 29th and 30th of January 2010

Bhavani CDC is organizing a programme for parents of children with history of epilepsy with the objectives to

• Create a positive awareness among the parents of children with history of epilepsy.
• Counsel parents about management and sustain a continuation in the medication along with a sustained interaction with the therapist.

• To prepare educational material for various professionals to help the affected child in academic progress

• Create a parent’s forum which can support children in a positive way to make their lives meaningful and successful

Rationale

Maya[ name changed] has a history of epilepsy.
Frequent seizures has lead to poor school attendance and has impaired learning.
The parents are over protective and are of the opinion that if Maya is stressed with school pressures, she will be afflicted with severe seizures.
Maya is confused and the parents are at their wit’s end

Knowledge of epilepsy by the parents and the child affected and the public in general is limited. Various myths and misconceptions create a feeling that epilepsy is contagious, hereditary and genetic.

Attitude  of the public towards a person with history of  epilepsy is governed by ignorance. Those with poorly controlled seizures are isolated socially and thus excluded from group activities even in schools and colleges.
Parents

• must make themselves aware that the child with epilepsy receives early intervention,
• Treat them with understanding.
• Give them an opportunity to study the way they learn and show their potential and caliber to become successful.

The Programme

A Three Day Programme.

Target Group: children up to 15 years of age

Venue:  JMA Hall, SMS Hospital, SMS Road, Jaipur 302001

29.1.10 :     Introductory session with families and caretakers of children with
4 to 6 pm   history  of  epilepsy followed by registration for the counseling
                   session the  following day
.
 30.1.10:  Morning:       The programme with the counselor
10 am to 4 pm              Post lunch session: Interaction with special
                                      educationists www. and therapists

31.1.10: Personal  /  individual Counseling for parents with an appointment.

Contact person:
Ms.Anju Jain
Co-coordinator, Bhavani CDC
Ph: 0141-2359369                                                     

Resource  Person for
     
LET US WORK TOWARDS A BRIGHT FUTURE FOR PEOPLE WITH EPILEPSY

A Programme for parents of children with history of epilepsy

MS DHARMA RAMAN

Ms. Dharma Raman is a lawyer by profession.
She changed her profession as counselor for parents of children with epilepsy as her son was afflicted with seizures.
While supporting her son through his surgery and saw the changes in him as a seizure free youth, she decided that all parents of children with epilepsy
needed to be supported, counseled to accept the condition of the child and break away from myths and fears attached to epilepsy.
She has been a pillar of support to her son who is doing masters in music at Chennai and plays the veena.
She has addressed the forum organized by the Institute of Neurological Sciences in December 2005, on medico-legal issues for persons with dementia.
Ms.Raman is a member of the Indian Epilepsy Association (IEA) Chennai Chapter.
She has visited Support Groups for People with Epilepsy in Ohio, USA 2006.
She has addressed a number of Forums and Conferences on Epilepsy since October 2007 in her capacity as a parent of a child with epilepsy.
She has a Diploma  in Epilepsy Care from Bangalore University in September 2009.