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Epilepsy Toronto provides information, counselling, employment support and education to help people with epilepsy live independently and with dignity as meaningful participants in the community. A directory of our services is set out below:
SERVICES FOR ADULTS WITH EPILEPSY
Living with epilepsy can pose many physical, psychological and social challenges for adults with epilepsy and their families or loved ones. At Epilepsy Toronto we offer:
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Individual, Couple and Family Counselling Services: Experienced counselors are available to provide professional counseling for a wide range of personal and relationship issues. Our staff can also assist you to cope better with the difficulties of living with a seizure disorder.
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Groups: Our Support Groups - which offer adults of all ages a safe place to meet and discuss matters of common concern-- can be extremely beneficial. Other groups we offer include a Surgery Support Group for those who are candidates for (or adjusting to) epilepsy surgery and a Group for Parents of Young Adults and Teenagers with epilepsy.
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Employment Support: Getting and keeping a job can be especially difficult for the person with epilepsy, but our Employment Specialist can help. Employment-related counselling is available to people with epilepsy, as well as consultancy services to employers. Our focus is on job acquisition, retention and workplace adjustment. Through vocational and supportive counselling, we address employment standards, labour legislation, income support, insurance and driving issues.
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Information and Education: We at Epilepsy Toronto believe that being fully informed about epilepsy is key to being able to live successfully with this disorder, so we offer many different opportunities for our members to learn more about epilepsy and to stay current. For example, our Epilepsy Resource Centre contains a lending library of books, videos and resource materials; our Newsletters keep you up-to-date; and our Lecture Series and Conferences ensures that you are more fully informed. A five-part Introductory Course on Epilepsy and Seizures in Adulthood for people who are interested in learning general information about epilepsy is especially good for the newly-diagnosed patient. Or you can "Take a Online Course" now, electronically.
SERVICES FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH WITH EPILEPSY AND THEIR FAMILIES
More than half of all newly-diagnosed patients with epilepsy are children under the age of 10. Children and teenagers with epilepsy and their parents often have special concerns, and require information and support to face the challenges of living with a seizure disorder. Epilepsy Toronto offers a specific program customized to meet the needs of young people and their families. Specifically, we offer:
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Child, Parent and Family Counselling Services: Experienced counselors are available to assist you or your family on coping successfully with childhood epilepsy and can provide counseling to the child or teenager on a variety of issues.
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Support Group for Parents of Young Adults and Teenagers with Epilepsy: How do you foster your young adult or teenager's independence, while balancing concerns for their safety and well-being? Learn from other parents, develop effective coping strategies and decrease isolation. All meetings are held at Epilepsy Toronto. Call Theo Selles Child & Adult Services Coordinator at (416) 964-9095.
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Information and Education: We recognize that being fully informed about epilepsy is a key part of living successfully with the disorder, so we offer many different opportunities for young people with epilepsy and their families to learn more and stay current. For example, our Epilepsy Resource Centre contains a lending library of books, videos and resource materials for all ages; our Newsletters keep you up-to-date; and our Lecture Series and Conferences ensure that you are more fully informed. We also offer a five-part Introductory Course for Parents of Children with Newly-Diagnosed Epilepsy, which is especially appropriate for the parent who wants to understand more about epilepsy and discuss common concerns with other parents of children with newly-diagnosed epilepsy. Or you can "Take a Online Course" now, electronically.
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Social and Recreational Events: Social and recreational events aimed at children or teenagers with epilepsy and their families are offered on a seasonal basis.
OTHER SERVICES
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Educational Presentations, Professional Consultations or In-Service Workshops: Informative presentations on epilepsy and seizures in adults and/or children are available to interested social service agencies, schools, employers, multi-cultural groups and other organizations, free of charge.
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Epilepsy Resource Centre: Have a question? The Epilepsy Resource Centre contains pamphlets (in several languages), videos, books and articles-- all about epilepsy. We will mail you out an information package, and our members can borrow materials from the library and request on-line searches by our staff. This website is another of the services of the Epilepsy Resource Centre.
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Newsletters: Epilepsy Association members receive three different newsletters, the Epilepsy Matters (formerly EAupdate), the Bulletin, and Talking About Epilepsy...". These newsletters keep you up to date on epilepsy-related topics of interest, on current events and developments at our Association, and on the personal experiences of people living with epilepsy, respectively. To receive them, simply "Become a Member". Membership is free!
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Lectures and Conferences: Our free Lecture Series offers informative talks on requested topics by experts in the field-- everything from surgery to sexuality. Our Conferences offer an interesting way to stay on top of the latest developments in areas like medications and alternative therapies, while hearing from inspirational speakers and meeting other people living with epilepsy. Check out what's coming up on our "Events Calender" You might also want to visit our "Ask the Expert" page now.
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SUDEP Awareness and Support Association (SASA): SASA is a fledging awareness and support group for people whose family member has died suddenly and inexplicably from epilepsy. SUDEP, or Sudden Unexplained Death in Epilepsy, is an uncommon event wherein an otherwise healthy person with epilepsy dies suddenly and unexpectedly, and where no specific cause of death can be confirmed. For SUDEP information or support, contact the office at info@epilepsytoronto.org
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Kids on the Block:Trained volunteers take this educational puppet show into the schools throughout Metro Toronto to teach young children (Grades 1-6) about disabilities and medical conditions (including epilepsy), as well as accepting differences in themselves and others. For more information, visit the Kids on the Block page.
If you would like to help us continue to provide this wide range of services free of charge to the community, Epilepsy Toronto would welcome your tax-deductible donation.
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