On Tuesday, February 16^th, staff and students at St. Joseph High School hosted their annual pancake breakfast to support Epilepsy awareness and research. The event was a huge success, raising awareness of Epilepsy issues and important funds for Epilepsy Ottawa-Carleton!

 

This event was fun for everyone and also involved a lot of hard work by the numerous volunteers who took part from the school community. Neighbouring businesses generously donated services and door prizes as well.

 

The students in Ms. Scholfields’s art classes entered many outstanding original art works in this year’s Epilepsy Awareness Art Competition, making it very difficult for the judges! The winners received prizes of art materials donated by Wallacks.  This year the students are donating their art posters for the redecoration of the EOC office (planned for this summer).

 

Epilepsy Ottawa-Carleton (EOC) will use these funds to promote public awareness of epilepsy, particularly through our “Seizure Smart” educational presentations and to support individuals with epilepsy and their families.

 

This was a tremendous show of commitment and great organizing!

 

EOC extends its sincere thanks to the staff and students and other volunteers of St. Joseph’s High School who are to be commended for their efforts and ongoing support of the thousands of members of our community whose lives are affected by epilepsy.

 

See photos from this year’s pancake Breakfast!

 

Dr. Kandis Lock – Naturopathic Medicine & Sara McConnell – Anxiety Disorders Association of Ontario

On February 1, 2010 we had a great turnout for the first Public Information Meeting of the year!  With 35 attendees, and two very interesting guest speakers it was a fun way to kick off our 2010 programming!   Though we had an extremely small room to start off with, everyone pitched in to move kit and caboodle down the hall to another room. Thanks to all! Here is a re-cap of what was learned.

Sara McConnell spoke first. Sara is Canadian Certified Counsellor who has been with the Anxiety Disorders Association of Ontario (ADAO) for 3 years. Her professional background includes crisis intervention, counselling youth; and working with individuals and families in the area of grief and trauma.  She discussed the continuum of anxiety and how it affects the mind, body and spirit. Sara also described ADAO’s 14 week Anxiety Workshop (next one begins March 15) and the activities and exercises taught to lessen the affects of anxiety. These include among other things, deep breathing techniques, night time rituals to ensure sleep, proper eating habits, stepped approaches to dealing with fears and phobias as well as Cognitive Behaviour techniques.

Dr. Kandis Lock ND has 2 naturopathic practices: one on Preston Street and the other in Nepean. She has a general family practice and sees patients of all ages. Dr. Lock discussed the various approaches of Naturopathic Medicine. She discussed Chinese medicine and explained the significance of the state of the tongue! – as a sign of the health of the heart in this type of medicine. Dr. Lock explained what happens on the first visit to a Naturopathic doctor: discussing all symptoms you may face, your family history, etc. She also taught us the importance of eating properly – from whole grains, fruits and veggies, B-vitamins, healthy oils and the importance of a high protein breakfast! 

Thanks to our two speakers and to all our EOC participants for joining us at the Bronson Centre.

The Barrhaven Wal-Mart staff raised $478.00 for Epilepsy Ottawa-Carleton! The money was raised through various events such as a barbecue and a pancake breakfast. Barrie Hammond, EOC's Treasurer, was present to receive the cheque.