NEWSLETTER May 19,2000 Dear Friend, "A few months ago, my 15-year old son was diagnosed with epilepsy. It was a shock, and a difficult time for me, my wife, and my son. We had so many questions. Why my son...? Why now after so many years...? We didn't know what to do...who to turn to... No one wanted to talk about it. It was as if time came to a stop, waiting for answers to all our questions." This is just one of the many life stories we share together with other families of epileptic patients. Through the persistent encouragement and visionary advice of Dr.Rogelio Chua (neurologist and medical director of Chong Hua Hospital), and with the support of Janssen Pharmaceutica (division of Johnson&Johnson), the Epilepsy Support Group of Cebu (ESGC) was formed by parents of epileptics and epileptic adults. Our goals are: To improve the quality of life of epileptics and their families by providing moral and informational support on epilepsy To provide opportunities in developing the skills and self-esteem of epileptics thru classes in art, crafts, music, and other fields of interest To provide assistance in securing anti-conversant drugs and lab tests for epileptics in need To increase public awareness of epilepsy and work towards the acceptance of epileptics without discrimination To assist epileptics in their educational endeavors To raise funds to support the activities and goals of the association ESGC achievements to date: Design and making of ID card for medical emergency identification Seminar on epilepsy by neurologist Dr.Victoria Bael for epileptics and their families (January 2000) Workshop on psychological problems associated with epilepsy by well-known psychiatrist Dr. Pureza T. Onate on February 26, 2000 First public exposure of ESGC at Cebu International School (CIS) through a handicrafts bazaar during Family Day on April 14, 2000 First handicrafts workshop at City Park Inn on April 29, 2000 Handicrafts bazaar and formal launching of ESGC at the Chong Hua Medical Arts on May 5, 2000 Start of counseling program for epileptics and their families by psychiatrist Dr. Robert Canete on May 19, 2000