Epilepsy conference held at UTEP
The El Paso Epilepsy and Seizure conference was held at the UTEP Memorial gym Saturday.
The conference brought together patients and parents to educate them on the disease, and how to overcome the social stigma associated with neurological disorders.
Children had a chance to take some basketball lessons with “Mighty” Mike Simmel, a basketball player with the Harlem Wizards, who has had epilepsy since he was a two.
“We try to have these kids learn that they can do anything they want as long as they believe in themselves, work hard, and have faith. Everything is possible,” said Simmel.
The rest of the conference was in classes where they shared stories and learned about the struggles of balancing epilepsy with everyday life.
“I started having them like, at school, and stuff. It got to the point where I was literally having a seizure like up to three seizures, every single day,” said Brianna Ricarte, an epilepsy patient.
Some conference-goers said events like this help educate families of epileptics, and for the community as a whole.
“It’s important because we get to, you know, educate ourselves, and maybe if we notice other people with them we can just let them know,” said Paul Morales, father to an epileptic child.
The conference, first in El Paso by the Texas Epilepsy Foundation, was meant to raise awareness around epilepsy and educate the public on what to do in case of a seizure.
“Just like you need first said when you see someone having a heart attack, there’s first aid on what to do if you see someone having a seizure. What they also don’t know is that all seizures aren’t emergencies. It looks bad, but they aren’t emergencies,” said Kentrie LeDee, an organizing member of the Epilepsy Foundation.
The Epilepsy Foundation is also planning to hold the ninth annual PC Jordan, Jr Memorial Golf Tourney Aug. 15. A support group for the parents of epileptic children is also being formed and will meet for the first time on Aug. 28.
For more information on both events go to the Epilepsy Foundation website. You can also call Patricia Naranjo, the support group organizer, at (915) 305-6095.
