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One in 26

Epilepsy Foundation of Alabama to Stream 50th Anniversary Event

By Emily Williams-RoBERtshaW

The Epilepsy Foundation of Alabama logs in to host its 50th birthday party via livestream on Jan. 26.

It’s an important date, chosen to represent the statistical prevalence of epilepsy. According to the foundation, 1 in 26 people will develop epilepsy in their lifetimes.

It’s a large portion of the population, said Garland Stansell, who serves as the chapter’s advisory board chairman.

“Most of the people involved on the board as members are either a person with epilepsy themselves or they have a child with epilepsy,” Stansell said. “I’m a little different and I may be the only person on the board who is the child of a person with epilepsy.”

Stansell first became involved with the foundation in 1999, before the Alabama affiliate offices were moved to Mobile. When the foundation moved the offices back to Birmingham in 2018, Stansell was asked to join the reestablished chapter as a board member.

He said his effort is in honor of his mother.

She has dealt with epilepsy since she was about 12 years old. At the age of 11, she fell from a tree and suffered a significant head injury, and as puberty set in and her hormone levels began to change, she began experiencing seizures.

“That’s not really unusual for women,” Stansell said. “(Research has found) that the hormones do kind of dictate the severity.”

When his mother began experiencing menopause, the hormonal change led to the dissipation of her epilepsy symptoms.

“I’m happy to say that she hasn’t really had a seizure in probably 18 years or so,” Stansell said, though she does still experience auras, moments where she feels she’s on the verge of having a seizure. “She’s in her late 70s now and has been on medication for most of her life.”

One of Stansell’s first memories was of his mother experiencing a tonic-clonic seizure, also known as a grand mal seizure. It’s a severe form of seizure, characterized by loss of consciousness and convulsions.

“I remember her having the seizure and not really knowing what to do,” he said. “It was in our home bathroom and I wet a washcloth and put her head in my lap and was just wiping her forehead.”

Throughout his mother’s 20s, 30s and 40s, she experienced a range of seizures, from absence seizures – short staring spells – to the more severe tonic-clonic seizures.

“Her seizures were primarily controlled through medications over the years, and what she struggled with most were the side effects and the social stigma, depressions and the limitations of living with epilepsy.”

Even now, Stansell said, his mother deals with the residual effects of the medications and feelings of isolation.

“The things that I have seen in my lifetime are the advances in medication, the advances in treatment, advancements in diet,” Stansell said.

He has seen those advancements through his mother’s treatment as well as his work at Children’s of Alabama, where he is chief communications officer.

“Our epilepsy center sees so many patients, some who are having hundreds of seizures every day. It’s so debilitating, not only for the child but their family as well,” he said. “Now, if they qualify, they can have these robotic surgeries that pinpoint the area in the brain. They are noninvasive, and almost overnight those seizures stop.”

Photo courtesy Garland Standlell

Raising Money and Spreading Knowledge

The foundation helps fund research but also works to break down social stigma through education and to provide patient support.

The foundation’s outreach efforts include seizure first aid training and certification for the public, as well as training for school personnel and school nurses.

There are a lot of misconceptions about what to do to help a person experiencing a seizure.

“You don’t try to restrain the person,” Stansell said. “They’re not going to hurt themselves. You don’t put something in their mouth.”

Education clears up both the misunderstandings and helps eliminate some of the social stigma.

“Unfortunately, as humans, we fear what we don’t understand,” he said. “So many times, people are fearful of somebody who is having a seizure and they feel helpless. As much education as we can get out there, that really helps everyone.”

In addition, the foundation offers a variety of patient and caregiver support activities.

There is a 24/7 helpline, monthly support groups, the Epilepsy Foundation Kids Crew, the Sudep (sudden unexpected death in epilepsy) Institute, summer camp scholarships, information and referral services, and educational conferences for people with epilepsy and caregivers.

“There are programs that help with emergency medications if someone’s prescription runs out and a resource center where people could get help with transportation,” Stansell said.

The foundation also is dedicated to advocating for patients at the state legislative level, lobbying on topics including seizure safe schools. At the federal level, the foundation advocates for needs through the Teens Speak Up program and Public Policy Institute.

Garland Stansell, far right above, with his wife and parents, serves as The Epilepsy Foundation of Alabama advisory board chairman.

Celebrating Accomplishments

At the 50th birthday celebration, many of these accomplishments will be shared along with the Alabama chapter’s history and information on what the foundation is working on now and what is happening at the national level.

“We’ve also got some amazing families who will be highlighted and will be sharing their own stories,” Stansell said.

Registration for the livestream event is at epilepsyalabama.org/50th. While there is no mandatory fee, households are encouraged to donate $126 or more if they are able.

Staples also noted that there are other ways to get involved, including buying the chapter’s new custom license plate.

“When renewing your license plate, people will now have the option to purchase the custom End Epilepsy tag and support the Epilepsy Foundation,” he said. “It costs, like any of the other ones, $50 extra, but $41.25 of that comes back to help Epilepsy Center at Children’s of Alabama and to help education efforts through the Epilepsy Foundation of Alabama.”

Through Jan. 31

Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Team in Training’s Re(Solution)

What: Join the LLS in the second installment of its 31-day experience. Customize your own experience by choosing your sport (running, hiking, cycling, etc.) and choosing your mileage goal. When: The month of January Website: lls.org

Tues., Jan. 12

Bearing Witness: Stories of the Holocaust

What: Birmingham Holocaust Education Center presents Brenda Hancock, second generation, educator and author of 2 books about her family, “One of the Lucky Ones” and “Talent-Luck-Courage: My Family’s Story of Survival.” When: 7-8:30 p.m. Where: Zoom Online Website: bhecinfo.org

Sat., Jan. 16

January Blessing Day

What: Join Be a Blessing Birmingham in distributing monthly hygiene kits, clothing, shoes, snack bags and a hot breakfast to our homeless neighbors. When: 8:45-10:15 a.m. Where: Linn Park, 710 20th Street N. Website: “January Blessing Day” Facebook page

MLK Day 5k Drum Run

What: This year’s virtual race provides a safe social distanced alternative from the in person event. included will be a soundtrack of the drumline in an electronic format, a warm up, music, timing through online apps, a race goodie bag, a shirt and race medal. When: All day Website: mlkday5kbham.com

Saturdays in the Gardens: Source Your Seeds

What: Join Birmingham Botanical Gardens in a class led by Hope Long and Brooke McMinn as they discuss which seeds, varieties and sources are best suited for your ganden and its needs. Novice and seasoned gardeners welcome. When: 10 a.m.-noon Where: Online via Zoom Website: “Saturdays in the Gardnes: Source Your Seeds” Facebook page

Mon., Jan. 18

MLK Day Food Drive

What: In the spirit of service, the Zoo will hosts a food drive in partnership with the Community Food Bank of Central Alabama. Guests are encouraged to bring a non-perishable or canned food item and will receive half-price admission to the zoo. Limit one admission ticket per guest. Where: Birmingham Zoo Website: birminghamzoo.com What: Enjoy dinner prepared by Chef Matthew Murphee and participate in an exclusive ghost and spirits of the past hunt using state of the art paranormal investigation equipment. When: 6 p.m. Where: Arlington House Website: “January Vegas Style Murder Mystery Dinner & Spirits of the Past Hunt at Birmingham’s Arlington House” Facebook page

Sat., Jan. 23

2020 Recovery 5k Trail Run

What: Spring Valley School hosts a 5k featuring three staggered start times with no more than 50 runners each. Start times are chosen by runners at online registration on a first come first serve basis. A virtual run option is available. Proceeds benefit the schools COVID-19 relief funds. Where: Red Mountain Park Website: springvalleyschool.org

Brickology

What: Join McWane Science Center in its newest 5,500 square foot exhibit. Visitors will explore and be amazed by science, engineering, art and math concepts using construction block play. included will be building tables, a giant jump ramp for testing any vehicle you dream up, earthquake tables, displays and more. When: During normal hours of operation Where: McWane Science Center, 3rd floor Website: mcwane.org

Wed., Jan. 27

Finding Matilda: Uncovering the Life & Death of a Jewish Lithuanian Poet

What: The Birmingham Holocaust Education Center in partnership with the Vilna Shul and its partners will convene a panel to discuss the search for a little-known Holocaust victim, Matilda Olkin, and her extended family who were killed in an isolated location in northern Lithuania in the Holocaust in 1941. When: 6 p.m. Where: Zoom Online Website: bhecinfo.org

Thurs., Jan., 28

The Vulcans Community Awards

What: Vulcan Park and Museum will honor 10 selfless individuals who exemplify civic pride, leadership and make a difference in the lives of people, places and organization within the city and surrounding areas. When and Where: Virtual program, 6:30 p.m.; Exhibit opening on the same night inside the Linn-Henley Gallery Website: visitvulcan.com

Jan. 28-Feb. 3

Sundance 2021 - Satellite Screens

What: Sidewalk is excited to participate as an official Satellite Screen Partner for Sundance Film Festival 2021. Join Sidewalk in downtown Birmingham at its cinema or Starlite Pop-up Drive-in. When and Where: Check the website for films, event spaces and times Website: sidewalkfest.com

Blood Drive in Honor of Mike Gilotti

What: LifeSouth will be holding a blood drive in remembrance of Mike Gilotti, who was killed at 33 outside of his home in January of 2016, leaving behind a wife and two children. When: 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Where: Hoover Recreation Center Website: hooveral. org

SAVE THE DATE

Sat., Jan. 30

Frostbite 5k and Fun Run

What: Young Life Birmingham South hosts its annual run including music, snacks, male and female age group winners with prizes and customized medals for winners. When: 7:45-8:50 registration Where: Veterans Park Website: “Young Life Birmingham South” Facebook page

Journal photo by Jordan Wald

BTC Adam’s Heart Runs

What: One of the BTC’s premiere races, participants have the opportunity to select a 5k, 10k or 10-mile distance. Strollers and leashed dogs welcome. When: 10-mile, 8 a.m.; 10k, 8:30 a.m.; 5k, 9 a.m. Where: Oak Mountain State Park Website: runsignup.com

Sun., Jan. 31

Grand Slam Sunday

What: Each adult ticket includes admission, food and two drink tickets. All proceeds support the Miracle League Field at Wald Park. When: 5 p.m. Where: The Ridge Eat & Drink parking lot Website: “Grand Slam Sunday benefitting the Miracle League Field” Facebook page

What: Guest will enjoy stunning lantern creations of wildlife from around the world on select nights Wednesday-Sunday. Watch the zoo come alive with hundreds of animal shapes and sizes. When: 5-9 p.m. Where: Birmingham Zoo Website: birminghamzoo.com

Thurs., Feb. 4

GriefShare

What: This 13-week series features trained facilitators who have experienced grief, available to guide you through one of life’s most difficult experiences and provide you with the tools and resources to move forward. When: 7-8:45 p.m. Where: Online and at Faith Prebyterian Church, lower level Website: griefshare.org/ groups/129438

GLOW WILD: AN ANIMAL LANTERN CELEBRATION | THROUGH JAN. 18

Fri., Feb. 5

Virtual Artblink Gala

What: The Advisory Board of the O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center hosts its annual gala including virtual artists studio experiences, bidding on auction items, dinner from Iz Catering to enjoy at home and more. When: Dinner pickup, 4-6 p.m.; Pre-show, 6:30 p.m.; Virtual event, 6:45-7:45 p.m. Website: artblink.org

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