The NHS has just celebrated its 70th birthday this year. The NHS was set up in 1948 by Health Secretary Aneurin Bevan. The idea was to have healthcare under one umbrella organisation which would be free at the point of delivery. This means it would be paid for mainly through taxes, but when people need care, they would not have to pay.

The Ipswich Epilepsy Support Group would like to wish the NHS a happy birthday and thank them for all the work they have done and do and especially thank them for all the work they do to help people who suffer from epilepsy.

Friday 21st September 2018 sees the return of National Doodle Day, Epilepsy Action’s annual festival of fun and fundraising. As ever the biggest part of national Doodle Day will be the online auction of celebrity doodles. There are many amusing and wonderful doodles from people like the illustrators of some of your favourite books and famous faces from stage and screen.
Their Doodles will all be on sale through Ebay from 21st to 23rd Sptember. You can find your favourite Doodle at epilepsy.org.uk/doodleday and don’t forget to bid when the auction opens.

What is Dravet Syndrome ?

Dravet Syndrome is a rare and severe type of epilepsy.The Condition was first described in 1978 by Charlotte Dravet, a paediatric epilepsy specialist working in Marseille, France. It usually starts in early childhood and is sometimes called catastrophic epilepsy.It is estimated that Dravet Syndrome affects one in 40,000 people. However recent data suggests the real number is closer to one in 19,000.

Recognisable features

Seizures happen often and can be prolonged. This type of epilepsy is usually resistant to medicines, and a few epilepsy medicines are needed to help with seizures. Emergency medicine may be needed for prolonged seizures. Many people with Dravet Syndrome have sleep issues, feeding problems and the vast majority have learning disabilities at some level. Later in life people may also have mobility problems. Some have speech some have no speech one may walk the other may not. Everyone experiences Dravet Syndrome differently.

Dravet Syndrome UK supports people affected by Dravet syndrome. The charity provides night time monitors, holds a conference for families and professionals every two years, and runs an online forum for families. They also put on a family weekend at Center Parcs, run a 16 plus assistance fund and help fund research into the condition.

Contact Dravet Syndrome UK for more information at Dravet Syndrome UK Telephone 07874866937. Email info@dravet.org.uk Website dravet.org.uk for more information about this condition.
Soure Epilepsy Action