Nancy Figueroa Writes

I hate the end of August. For this summer gal the labour day weekend is my signal that winter is fast approaching. The one thing that gets me through this weekend, is going to the Toronto International BuskerFest for Epilepsy. It always puts a smile on my face. The festival, at Woodbine Park in The Beach, showcases amazing fire-jugglers, sword-swallowers, magicians, ventriloquists, comedians, and musicians from all around the world. For kids, there is also a Family Fun Zone with face painting, circus academy, rides and a bouncy castle. It's a wonderful way to spend, what I call, the last weekend of summer. Best of all, all funds raised are used to help the more than 40,000 people in the Greater Toronto Area who have epilepsy. Admission to the park (1590 Lake Shore Blvd. East at Coxwell Ave) is by donation, with a suggestion of $5 per person and $10 for a family. In conjunction with BuskerFest, The Mac and Cheese Festival is also being held, with more than 20 different mac and c...

I can't believe it happened again. I saw a Facebook post asking if it's necessary to put something in someone's mouth when they're having a seizure. No! No! No! Do not put anything in their mouth and do not attempt to restrain the person. Do: Stay calm Time the seizure Loosen anything tight around the person's neck Keep the person safe until the seizure is over Clear the area of glass or anything that might hurt them Do not restrain the person Remember, most seizures last 30 seconds to two minutes If the seizure lasts more than five minutes, call 911 If the seizure ends and a new one starts, call 911 When the seizure ends, turn the person on their side Stay with them, they may be disoriented or confused  I'm so thankful to those in the past who witnessed my son having a seizure and who knew what to do, like the TTC driver who refused to leave his side, the kind neighbours and the unknown strangers who have called 911 and stayed with him until h...

There are so many thoughts running through my head.  I've been asked to speak with a small group of Epilepsy Toronto parents tomorrow evening. They are parents of children, from one to 16 years, who have epilepsy.  Katie, the amazing Director of Children and Youth Services, and also a social worker, has asked me to talk about our journey with James, about coping skills for parents and about the sibling experience.  I have so much to share with these parents--I know their pain. I've been where they are. I hope one day soon that their child will be where our child is now-- seizure-free. I don't, however, want their children to have to go through epilepsy surgery six times, and struggle trying one hideous drug after another. I want to wave a magic wand and let all their children--let all the children in the world--be seizure-free. That isn't too much to ask, is it? Until I find that wand, I'll share our stories, our hope, our pain and our triumphs. And, photos...

More than $125,000 was raised last night at The Amari Thompson Soiree for Epilepsy Toronto. It was a fabulous evening. The star of the show, Tristan Thompson, NBA superstar with the Cleveland Cavaliers, was--at 6 ft 10 in--easily the tallest person in the crowd. James went right up to him, shook hands and introduced himself. My job? To take photos. Luckily, James's two favourite Sick Kids's nurses, Irene and Anita, were also there. They also took photos of James meeting Tristan. Anita and Irene have been nurses to thousands of children with seizures; you couldn't ask for two more wonderful people. The setting for the soiree, the 17th Floor of the new Globe and Mail Centre on King Street, offered spectacular views of the city. The food, by Mark McEwan Catering was excellent, especially the chicken drumsticks and the risotto, served in lovely little dishes. It was a bit tricky, though, to hold the wine glass, the programme and the bowl of risotto without spilling everythi...

      My son  James loves basketball. Guess I should have known he’d agreed to go with me to Thursday’s Amari Thompson Soiree in support of Epilepsy Toronto. Amari’s big brother—NBA superstar, Tristan Thompson of the Cleveland Cavaliers—is honourary chairman of the evening. You bet, James wants to attend!      I’ve always thought Epilepsy Toronto and the epilepsy community in general, needed a strong, well-known personality to help raise awareness and funds for those with epilepsy and their families. Along came Tristan, thank goodness! The Canadian citizen, who grew up in Brampton, partnered with Epilepsy Toronto to host the soiree in honour of his 11-year-old brother, Amari. Like James, Amari has suffered seizures since birth.      Tristan, who calls Amari, “the greatest motivational force in my life,” acknowledges that not every family dealing with epilepsy has had his good fortune. For this reason he decided to do what...