Epilepsy Awareness Month: Days 16 – 30

  • Post category:Educational / Epilepsy
  • Reading time:3 mins read

This is part 2 of 2 of the Epilepsy Awareness Month daily facts, which covers days 16 through 30. You may have already seen these if you are following James on Facebook. Click here if you missed—or want to review—part 1 of the daily epilepsy facts.

Thank you Candlelight Concert for Epilepsy Awareness for creating these images to raise awareness about epilepsy.

 

Day 16

It’s a bloop in his electrical system.

Epilepsy Awareness Month poster featuring a side‑profile illustration of a human head with the brain highlighted in bright yellow and orange to show electrical activity. Text on the poster explains that November is Epilepsy Awareness Month and includes a fact of the day noting that a seizure is a disturbance in the brain’s electrical activity. The design encourages sharing and educating others about epilepsy.

 

Day 17

We believe James had his 1st seizure four days before he was born; had another one a few days after he was born; and was diagnosed with Infantile Spasms when he was 5 months old.

Epilepsy Awareness Month poster in purple and white. The top reads “November is Epilepsy Awareness Month,” with the phrase “be E aware!” in large stylized lettering. A small calendar graphic marks November 17 as the fact‑of‑the‑day. The main text explains that epilepsy is diagnosed when someone has two or more unprovoked seizures at least 24 hours apart, shown alongside a globe with a large “24.” The bottom encourages sharing and educating others about epilepsy.

 

Day 18

These numbers may be higher since this sign was created and are higher than they should be.

Epilepsy Awareness Month poster featuring a baby sitting on the floor playing with colorful plastic toys. The design uses purple and white text, highlighting the November 18 fact‑of‑the‑day: epilepsy affects 1 in 26 people, compared to 1 in 88 for autism. Sources are listed, and the poster encourages sharing and educating others about epilepsy.

 

Day 19

Stacy thinks that dehydration may have played a role in James’ odd seizures the last few days.

Epilepsy Awareness Month poster with a gold compass on the right side and purple text on the left. The November 19 fact‑of‑the‑day explains that people with epilepsy navigate many potential seizure triggers, including lack of sleep, stress, flashing lights, anxiety, missed medications, fatigue, hormones, alcohol, and more. The bottom encourages viewers to share and educate others about epilepsy.

 

Day 20

James can’t tell us how he feels during a seizure. Pets feel that same unknown & can’t describe it, either.

Epilepsy Awareness Month poster featuring a light brown dog lying down on a white background. Purple text highlights the November 20 fact‑of‑the‑day, explaining that epilepsy is not limited to humans and that its prevalence in dogs has been estimated as high as 5.7%. The design encourages viewers to share and educate others about epilepsy.

 

Day 21

We do need helmets that better protect our football players and soldiers.

Epilepsy Awareness Month poster featuring a football player in a green uniform with the number 82, holding a football while running. Purple text highlights the November 21 fact‑of‑the‑day, explaining that head trauma or injury is one of the common causes of epilepsy. The bottom encourages viewers to share and educate others about epilepsy.

 

Day 22

This was something that Stacy learned in one of her education classes in college: your child has epilepsy, epilepsy doesn’t have your child.

Epilepsy Awareness Month poster featuring a large, diverse group of people smiling and standing together to represent community and support. Purple text highlights the November 22 fact‑of‑the‑day, explaining that the word “epileptic” shouldn’t be used to define a person, and that “person with epilepsy” is the respectful phrasing. The bottom encourages sharing and educating others about epilepsy.

 

Day 23

That is a lot of $$$!

Epilepsy Awareness Month poster featuring stacks of U.S. dollar bills wrapped in colored bands. Purple text highlights the November 23 fact‑of‑the‑day, stating that epilepsy results in an estimated annual cost of $15.5 billion in medical expenses and lost or reduced earnings and productivity. The bottom encourages viewers to share and educate others about epilepsy.

 

Day 24

Thanksgiving is a day to be thankful, but it’s hard when so many suffer on a daily basis with so many different types of seizures. There are 5 types of Generalized Seizures but so many unknown!

  1. Absence Seizure – person will stop moving and stare in one direction for 15 seconds or less.
  2. Myoclonic Seizure – Sporadic (isolated) jerking movements
  3. Clonic Seizure – Repetitive, jerking movements.
  4. Tonic Seizure – Muscle stiffness and loss of consciousness.
  5. Atonic Seizure – Loss of muscle tone, causing a person’s body to go limp.

Epilepsy Awareness Month poster featuring a healthcare professional holding a baby, symbolizing medical care and support. Purple text highlights the November 24 fact‑of‑the‑day, explaining that seizures can take many forms, from brief sensory disruptions or staring spells to prolonged convulsions. The bottom encourages viewers to share and educate others about epilepsy.

 

Day 25

You can’t “catch” epilepsy from being around someone else that has it.

Epilepsy Awareness Month poster showing two people embracing, one smiling warmly. Purple text highlights the November 25 fact‑of‑the‑day, stating that epilepsy is not contagious. The bottom encourages viewers to share and educate others about epilepsy.

 

Day 26

No, you can’t swallow your tongue during a seizure.

Epilepsy Awareness Month poster in purple and white with the November 26 fact‑of‑the‑day. The text explains that a person cannot swallow their tongue during a seizure, noting that this is a common myth. A bold red “FALSE” stamp reinforces the correction. The bottom encourages viewers to share and educate others about epilepsy.

 

Day 27

James does not have myoclonic-astatic epilepsy, but his seizures seem to be resistant to medications, too. The new meds he started a few weeks ago have lessened the seizures, but we’re still looking for the one that will make him seizure free.

Epilepsy Awareness Month poster featuring a child on a swing, shown in motion against a purple‑themed background. The November 27 fact‑of‑the‑day explains that myoclonic‑astatic epilepsy (Doose syndrome) is an early‑childhood epilepsy syndrome that is often resistant to medication, difficult to treat, and typically involves hard‑to‑control generalized seizures with no known cause. The bottom encourages viewers to share and educate others about epilepsy.

 

Day 28

Because of James’ epilepsy, Stacy has found (and become friends with) several parents of children with this devastating disorder.

Epilepsy Awareness Month poster featuring a baby lying on their back and looking upward, set against a purple‑themed design. The November 28 fact‑of‑the‑day explains that Dravet spectrum disorders are a group of related epilepsies with a shared genetic cause, with first seizures typically appearing before age one and often triggered only by fever or illness. The bottom encourages viewers to share and educate others about epilepsy.

 

Day 29

This is one of our biggest fears:

Epilepsy Awareness Month poster featuring a sunset or sunrise with silhouetted trees against a warm sky. Purple text highlights the November 29 fact‑of‑the‑day, stating that about 50,000 people die each year from epilepsy‑related causes, including prolonged seizures, SUDEP, and seizure‑related accidents, noting this number exceeds deaths from breast cancer, drunk driving, drug overdoses, and skin cancer. The bottom encourages viewers to share and educate others about epilepsy.

 

Day 30

Thank you for taking the time to read these facts & remember Epilepsy is not contagious, so if you see James, don’t be afraid to get close!

Epilepsy Awareness Month poster with a purple theme and an illustration of two people embracing, one wearing a hat and the other a headscarf. The November 30 message thanks supporters of epilepsy awareness and acknowledges that many people live with seizures, fear, stigma, and loss. It encourages changing how the world understands epilepsy and reminds viewers they’re not alone. The bottom urges people to share and educate others about epilepsy.