Nancy Figueroa Writes

Fascinating research is being done in Ontario to find ways to improve the lives of people with epilepsy.  This work is being done through EpLink--The Epilepsy Research Program of the Ontario Brain Institute. A team at Toronto Western Hospital, is researching  the use of brain stimulation to help stop or prevent seizures. So far they've found it has been effective in stopping seizures in animals. I hope it has the same effect on humans. In another study, by a group at the Hospital for Sick Children, a computer-based program using brain-wave patterns  is being developed to predict seizure activity in those with drug-resistant epilepsy. How wonderful if an individual could be warned about an upcoming seizure. This would be life-changing for those who don't receive any warnings or auras about imminent seizures. Imagine walking across a road, and suddenly falling to the ground convulsing? With a warning an individual would know to lie down in a safe place, thus reducing th...

When James signed up to play Special Olympics softball he wasn't certain he'd be able to hold the bat, never mind hit the ball. He wasn't certain, either, how he'd catch the ball and throw it back to his teammates. After epilepsy surgery he lost the use of his right hand and right arm. In his customary style, though, he wasn't about to let this--or anything--stop him. With the help of his awesome coaches, Dave and Pauline, and their crew of George, Sue, Ann and Heidi he has acquired so many new skills. He has learned to wrap both hands around the bat and in so doing he often hits the ball out of the field. He has learned to catch the ball with his gloved left hand--then lickety-split--remove the glove and throw the ball--still with his left hand--to his team mates on base. I'm not really sure how he does it, but somehow it works. And always, he has Dave and the gang cheering him on. Thanks, Dave,  Pauline and Special Olympics coaches everywhere for improving t...

A few months ago we were asked to participate in a video for Eplink--The Epilepsy Research Program of the Ontario Brain Institute--about people who've had epilepsy surgery. Richard and I were eager to help out, but I wasn't sure James would be, as the interview was scheduled for June 19, his 30th birthday. "No problem," my generous son told me. "No better way to celebrate being 30 than by talking about being seizure-free." So, off we went to Toronto Western Hospital, the site of James's surgery, to be interviewed by Eplink's Dr. Amaya Singh. The focus at Eplink is to find new ways to diagnose, treat and improve the lives of people with drug-resistant epilepsy. It is a great organization and I love its vision: "A world without epilepsy." It was an interesting interview and Dr. Singh immediately put all of us at ease. As it concluded she said, "I know hearing your family's story will touch a lot of people."  The video has ...

If every child returning to school could learn just one thing, I hope they'd learn to be kind. Kind to fellow students, teachers, parents, siblings, neighbours, strangers and kind to themselves. If you aren't kind, what does it matter if  you've got great marks? Why can't this new school year be the beginning of the end of bullying? Wouldn't it be wonderful if no child were ever bullied again? I'd much rather my child learned kindness than math...okay, so I never liked math! Still, I hope every teacher will find those teachable moments to talk about kindness and be that one teacher every student remembers because she, or he, was the one that taught them to be kind. Don't make fun of the kid that's poor, shy, disabled or different. Invite them to play with you at recess, invite them to your birthday parties.                                                 ...