Epilepsy is the UK's most common serious neurological condition, and is seriously misunderstood.
One in two hundred adults and one in one hundred children have epilepsy. It can affect people of all ages, races, and walks of life.
Eighty people are newly diagnosed as having epilepsy each and every day. With a new anti- epileptic medication being introduced every two years, seventy five percent of people with epilepsy will find effective control, allowing them to pursue an active and full life. The remaining twenty five percent may experience continuing seizures varying in type, severity, and frequency.
Perhaps because there are so many different types of epileptic seizure, not all of which may be easily recognised, the potential for misunderstanding and even mis-diagnosis is considerable. As a result, those affected, including family and friends, may experience periods of anxiety and even distress before developing a positive and hopefully successful strategy, enabling them to live with epilepsy.
The Oxfordshire Network
The Oxfordshire Epilepsy Network provides up to date information about epilepsy to the public, to other community support organisations, to educators, and to employers.
At both regional and national level, action is being taken by the NSE to dispel the myths that for some are still the misinformed reality of epilepsy.
The Oxfordshire Epilepsy Network offers courses for teachers, lecturers, and learning support staff, through its Epilepsy in Education Initiative, as well as through in-house training for employers, and other programmes.
A wide range of printed information is made available to the public directly from the Network office, through health centres, hospitals, and other health professionals.
Informed awareness of epilepsy is being further spread through the presence of The Oxfordshire Epilepsy Network Information Stand, which is available for public events and other centres of activity throughout the region.
