epilepsy tips for life

Medic Alert

2008-09-25T14:46:00.000-07:00

http://www.medicalert.org

On a global mission to protect and save lives.

The MedicAlert Foundation is a non-profit healthcare informatics organization dedicated to providing services to our members that protect and save lives.

MedicAlert® services are built around a repository of health information that enables members to manage their personal health records while maintaining security, privacy and confidentiality. As the trusted third party custodian of comprehensive personal health information, the MedicAlert® repository can connect to and provide critical medical information between patients, providers, payers, and first responders 24 hours a day anywhere in the world. The premium we place on patient confidentiality has earned the trust of 4 million members and the healthcare community worldwide.

MedicAlert® is committed to providing technology-based solutions and is an active member and a leader in developing interoperability standards with all the major Healthcare IT standards organizations. The MedicAlert® repository uses Web service interfaces to support standard Personal Health Records (PHRs), including electronic drug prescriptions and for patient record interoperability. These activities will ensure the rapid development and deployment of standards to improve the quality of care, lower healthcare costs while increasing patient safety.

MedicAlert® is a nonprofit membership organization founded in 1956 with a mission to protect and save lives, is headquartered in the United States and has international affiliates in nine countries.

there are all kinds of new jewelery and it is very wonderful thing to have so the folks that the hospital can get your information quickly!

2008-09-15T12:54:00.000-07:00

epilepsy advocate is a nice email newsletter full of great info. I have posted an example of an email for you to read. enjoy.

epilepsy advocate

2008-09-15T12:52:00.000-07:00

You received this e-mail because you registered to receive e-mail updates about epilepsy from UCB, Inc.

Dear veronique,

Every day, people with epilepsy perform a wide array of jobs safely and effectively. They’re successfully employed in a variety of positions, including jobs that might be considered high-risk–police officer, firefighter, construction worker, to name just a few. But that doesn’t mean that people with epilepsy don’t face challenges when it comes to pursuing career goals.

First, when applying for jobs, you face a decision that people without epilepsy don’t—deciding what, if anything, you want to tell your employer about your epilepsy. Whether you do or not is up to you. Under the Americans with Disabilities Act, employers may not ask any health-related questions unless they’ve made you a job offer.

Fortunately, people with epilepsy cannot be denied employment because of their seizures. In fact, employers are required to make what’s called reasonable accommodation for disabilities including epilepsy as long as it doesn’t cause the employer an undue burden or fundamentally alter the job requirements.

Reasonable accommodations

The accommodation an employer makes should be individually tailored to an employee’s unique needs. For example, accommodations for employees with epilepsy may include being allowed breaks to take medication during the day, time to rest after a seizure, an adjustable work schedule, a mat or carpet in the workspace to cushion a fall, or a leave of absence in cases when medication changes result in breakthrough seizures.

Quick tips

•	If you experience memory problems following a seizure, create a checklist to help you remember tasks.
•	If restrictions on driving limit your employment opportunities, look into telecommuting or working from home.
•	If public transportation isn’t a reliable option where you live, carpooling to work may be another option to consider.
•	Pay attention to your stress level! Work stress is a problem for everyone, but people with epilepsy have the added concern of experiencing stress-related seizures.
•	Learn how to talk comfortably about epilepsy with other people. By discussing your epilepsy with an employer, you can help break down stereotypes and misperceptions.
•	Fill out an Identification & Emergency Card and keep it in your wallet. Let others know where the card can be found. Download your Identification & Emergency Card.

In upcoming editions:

•	Travel Tips
•	Epilepsy: Myths and Facts
•	Home Safety

Get to Know
Greg Grunberg

Star of Heroes

For Greg and his family, epilepsy is something to face head on. Greg spoke with us about how his family refuses to settle when it comes to getting his son’s epilepsy under control.

Find a L.I.V.E. Event Near You!

Don’t wait to connect with the epilepsy community. We’ve added local L.I.V.E. events near you. Meet others with epilepsy and share insights and experiences.

	How have patients that you’ve known overcome difficulties at school or work?

	My patients who embrace their epilepsy and use it as an opportunity to educate others about the condition have few problems at school or work. These patients don’t let epilepsy become a roadblock to living their lives.

“The Epilepsy Company” and “Strength in numbers” are trademarks of the UCB Group of Companies.

Invite a friend to join the Epilepsy Advocate Community.

Please do not reply to this message. E-mails sent to this account will not be read.

Unsubscribe from Epilepsy Advocate communications.

K4116-0907O

patient assistance programs

2008-09-14T16:52:00.000-07:00

1.
Patient assistance programs are run by pharmaceutical companies to provide free medications to people who cannot afford to buy their medicine. RxAssist offers a comprehensive database of these patient assistance programs, as well as practical tools, news, and articles so that health care professionals and patients can find the information they need. All in one place.

RXASSIST.COM

2.

Novartis Pharmaceuticals
Program Name	Novartis Patient Assistance Foundation, Inc.
Program Address	PO Box 66556 St. Louis, MO 63166-6556
Phone Number	800-277-2254, opt 3
Fax Number
Medications on Program	Tegretol XR Tablets 200mg (carbamazepine)
Application Forms	Novartis Patient Assistance Foundation, Inc
On-line Application	No on-line application available at this time
Web Site	Click to go to program's web site
Eligibility Guidelines and Notes	The patient must have no prescription coverage for any medications and meet income guidelines that are not disclosed. The patient must also be a US resident.
Application Process	Anyone requesting assistance can call to request a faxed application or download it from the website. The application will be faxed out. The completed application must be mailed back. The patient is notified of eligibility for the program within 2 weeks.
Application Requirements	The doctor must fill out a section, sign the application and attach a prescription for 90 days. The patient must fill out a section, sign the application and attach proof of income.
Program Details	The medications are either sent to the doctor's office or the patient is sent a pharmacy card. A refill/reorder form is included with each shipment that must be filled out and returned to get the next shipment. Once a year a new application with financial documentation is needed.
Last Updated	August 05, 2008

6th annual walk for epilepsy

2008-09-14T16:38:00.000-07:00

Jacksonville - 6th Annual Walk For Epilepsy
Jacksonville, FL
9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Saturday, November 1, 2008

EPILEPSY FOUNDATION OF FLORIDA – JACKSONVILLE CHAPTER PRESENTS:
6TH ANNUAL Walk For Epilepsy

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 1st at 9:30 A.M.

MEMORIAL PARK - JACKSONVILLE, FL

REGISTRATION FEE:
$5-Individuals $15- Team (Must Be 3 Or More)

Pre-Registration Deadline Is OCTOBER 25, 2008 After 10/25/08, you may register the day of the walk.

To Register, Please download and complete The Registration Form by clicking below & Send It To: EPILEPSY FOUNDATION OF FLORIDA 5209 San Jose Blvd., Suite #101 Jacksonville, FL 32207 or Call: (904) 731-3752 You Can Visit Our Website at www.EpilepsyFla.org for More Details.

We’ll Have Plenty Of Fun, Festivities, And Lots Of Give-A-Ways! Be Sure To Pre-Register To Receive Additional Tickets For The Special Drawlings We’ll Have Throughout The Day! Help Us To Support Others & Spread The Awareness Of Epilepsy & Seizures!

Vendor opportunities also available - Please contact the Foundation @ (904) 731-3752 for details.

Event Registration Online

Jacksonville Event Registration Form Download

Iguard.org

2008-09-14T14:01:00.000-07:00

IGuard.org

helps you stay safer by:

Routinely checking the safety of your medications, screening for drug-drug and drug-disease interactions.
Alerting you and your doctor (optional) as important safety information arises for your medications.
Providing an easily accessible summary of your medications and conditions that you can share with your healthcare team.
Helping you learn and share treatment satisfaction and side effect information within our patient community.

Job Searches

2008-09-14T13:48:00.000-07:00

Getting a Job
http://www.epilepsyfoundation.org/living/wellness/employment/livingjobs.cfm

info from the epilepsy foundation site
lots of great info go and search!

Today people with epilepsy are working at hundreds of different kinds of jobs from one end of the country to the other. Many of these people have excellent seizure control, but not all of them do. Having occasional (or even fairly frequent) seizures may make your job hunt more difficult, but not impossible.

In fact, there are certain things you can do to increase your chances of getting a job. If you are just entering the job market, decide what sort of job you want and take a long look at the qualifications you'll need to reach that goal. The better qualified you are, the better your chances of success.
Seizure Control

If your seizure control is not yet good enough for you to get a driver's license, avoid occupations that would require you to drive as part of the job, or that would place you in hazardous situations. Think about jobs that allow you to work at home, at your own pace. Keep in mind that the growth of the Internet economy has created many non-traditional job opportunities for people with computer skills.

If your seizure control is completely reliable, almost all jobs should be open to you. In fact, the only thing you may want to do that other job applicants don't is to learn how to talk comfortably about epilepsy with other people so that, if you discuss your epilepsy with an employer, you can explain how much or how little impact it has on your ability to perform your job well.
Disclosing Epilepsy With a Potential Employer

It is not always necessary to discuss epilepsy with a potential employer, however. Whether you do or not is up to you. If you have excellent seizure control and the employer does not ask any health-related questions, there's no reason to start talking about epilepsy unless you want to. Under the Americans with Disabilities Act, employers with more than 15 employees may not ask any health-related questions until after they have offered you the job.

The important thing is whether you are able to do the job as described. Employers are also required to make reasonable accommodation for a disability.

If you decide to talk about your epilepsy, or if you have to because of a legal question from the employer (after a job has been offered), remember that the more confident, well-informed, and relaxed you can be, the more reassured the employer is likely to be.

Explain how long you've had epilepsy and how well it's controlled. If you drive, say so. Say how long you've been seizure-free. Explain that research studies show the longer people are free of seizures, the greater the likelihood they will stay that way.

If you've never had a convulsive seizure in your life, mention that as well. Remember, the average person thinks everyone with epilepsy has convulsions all the time.

If you have only occasional seizures, point that out, too. Explain that if one should occur it will only last a very short time. And always explain how this condition actually affects your ability to perform in a job. Remember, too, that studies show people who have acquired good job skills have a better chance of getting a job, whether or not they have epilepsy.
Your Rights

If you feel you have been unfairly treated by a prospective employer and you want to challenge it, check with a lawyer. You can also get further information on epilepsy and legal rights from the Epilepsy Foundation.
Job Hunting Resources

In many communities, the local Epilepsy Foundation offers programs that help people with epilepsy to find jobs. Find your local Epilepsy Foundation office.

» Job Preparation Guide

» Job Search Sites and Employment Resources

» Identifying When to Disclose Your Epilepsy

» Talking with other people who are looking for a job or have found a job

» Finding a local One-Stop Career Center office near you

» Finding a Vocational Rehabilitation Services office near you

Daily Strength

2008-09-14T13:35:00.000-07:00

free online support group communities
www.dailystrength.org

what DailyStrength ?
It is an online
community where people
help each other cope with
life’s challenges. Membership
is completely free and
anonymous. DailyStrength
has hundreds of thousands
of members in over 500
support groups, trading advice, support and
encouragement.

-- DailyStrength connects
you with supportive people who’ve been in your shoes.
who uses DailyStrength? how
DailyStrength members connect with each other in
many ways -- asking and answering questions in
forums, sending each other virtual hugs and flowers,
growing their circles of friends, chatting one-on one
about their issues, posting photographs and
videos, writing and sharing wellness journals about
setbacks and triumphs.

can I use DailyStrength?

Connect with others who’ve been in your shoes

HandiRecords

2008-09-14T13:27:00.000-07:00

www.handirecords.com

Protect yourself and your family.

Keep vital medical information at your fingertips with the HandiRecords product line from Blanchard Enterprises.

HandiRecords are attractive, checkbook-sized medical information organizers that easily fit in your purse or pocket. Start shopping.

Businesses:

Private-labeled HandiRecords products benefit your clients through patient education or wellness programs, promotional giveaways, or community events.

HandiRecords Gives Back:

Blanchard Enterprises helps fund medical research through its HandiRecords Gives Back Program. See HandiRecords Pink, benefiting breast cancer research.

What Customers Are Saying

“It's awesome. I think everyone should have one. I'm an RN working with an Alzheimer's support group and I like the conciseness and efficiency of it.”
-Pamela R. TX

“I really like my HandiRecords. I bought it to use for my 2 year old who is autistic and has a lot of specialists. I like the fact that I can keep all of her other information in one place and that it is small enough to fit in my purse.”
-Laura V., MN

“I ordered one of these for myself and loved it. I am ordering more for gifts. I'm a 'senior' citizen and am giving them to other senior citizen friends.”
-Paula K., TX

“This is so brilliant. I love the websites you have listed at the bottom of the pages, they're so helpful. I'm very impressed; you've done a wonderful job.”
-Deborah G., NC

“What a great find! I am so excited about using it. I am in the midst of trying to get my life organized and your product will go a long way in helping me achieve that goal. I plan to purchase from you for Christmas, birthdays, etc. Thanks!”
-Becky C., IN

“With lives complicated by chronic health conditions or major illness, it is all the more important to have a medical history, record of medications, various doctors' numbers, and other information readily available. HandiRecords provides a simple, compact way to keep track of all the records and information we need to have on hand in case of emergency as well as in our daily lives.”
-Jan Guthrie,
The Health Resource, Inc thehealthresource.com

“HandiRecords would have been such a help when I was taking care of my Mother who had Alzheimer's disease and was unable to provide medical information herself. Having everything so conveniently available would have been wonderful -- but will be for me now!”
-Dorothy C., TX

“It's really nice; it has a place for just about everything. My husband has Parkinson's and I'm using it for his information.”
-Elaine V. NM

Epilepsy Information Service

2008-09-12T07:41:00.000-07:00

Epilepsy Information Service

Answers general questions on epilepsy. Free literature, conducts workshops and conferences.
Voice: 1-800-642-0500