This is Campi, the International Epilepsy Day mascot. Campi is a cute little seahorse who happens to have epilepsy. He is very gentle and kind and sometimes he is a little shy. Everyone is his friend.
Our first video shows Campi at school with his friends Cala and Tuno and their teacher Mr W Hale. Cala loves ‘girlie’ things and having all those arms (tentacles) means that she has lots of room for wearing sparkling bracelets! Tuno is a bit of a tomboy – or maybe that should be tom-tuna! But he’s a bit of a softie behind all the bravado.
In our second video Campi goes with his mum and dad to visit Dr. Cristina Langoustina to find out why he has been unwell recently.
Our plan is to develop a series of educational stories, specially suited to young children. Together with the videos, we are creating a teachers’ pack to help educators to use the tool in the classroom. First up is a page to colour in but, very soon, we will have other materials available.
So, you might ask, why did we choose a seahorse?
We wanted to have a character that had a connection to epilepsy in some way and Campi just happened to fit the bill. The seahorse is genus Hippocampus and its shape resembles a part of the brain that has the same name and is important in producing seizures and epilepsy.
It’s also an animal that people find fascinating, graceful and beautiful.
We hope that you will enjoy meeting Campi and his friends.
Campi has Epilepsy – Chapter 1, Crisis in School
Meet Campi, the seahorse, and his friends Cala and Tuno, and his teacher Mr W. Hale. In this first chapter Campi feels unwell in school. Find out if his friends and teacher can help.
Campi has Epilepsy – Chapter 2, Campi visits the Doctor
Campi, the seahorse, along with his mum and dad, visit Dr. Cristina Langoustina to find out why Campi has been unwell recently.
Campi has Epilepsy – Chapter 3: A Lesson in Epilepsy First Aid
In this episode Suzie Squid visits the school from the local epilepsy association. Suzie shows Campi and his what and what not to do if someone experiences a seizure.
Stella Starfish wants to play sports! – Chapter 4: Epilepsy and Sport
In this video, Campi meets a new friend- Stella Starfish, who also has epilepsy. Stella loves to play football but her team coach is not sure that it’s safe for her to play. Watch the video to find out how she solves this problem, and what she and Campi learn about epilepsy and sports.
Download the colouring page for this video. Why not draw the safety gear on Stella’s screen?
Part 1 (Burden): Campi learns about the global burden of epilepsy
In the first part of a new series of animations, Campi learns about the global burden of epilepsy from his mum, and discovers he is not alone!
The burden of epilepsy is high and often neglected in public health agendas. Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological diseases, affecting nearly 50 million people of all ages around the world. Roughly half of adults with epilepsy have at least one other health condition. Psychiatric conditions, such as depression and anxiety, make seizures worse and reduce quality of life. Epilepsy has significant economic implications in terms of health care needs and lost productivity at work.
Part 2 (Stigma and Discrimination): Campi learns about the global burden of epilepsy
In all parts of the world, people with epilepsy are the target of discrimination and human rights violations. The stigma of epilepsy can discourage people from seeking treatment and has consequences for quality of life and social inclusion. Improving knowledge and raising awareness of epilepsy in schools, work places, and communities is needed to reduce stigma. Legislation based on internationally accepted human rights standards can prevent discrimination and rights violations, improve access to health care services, and raise the quality of life for people with epilepsy.
Part 3 (Treatment Gap): Campi learns abut the Epilepsy Treatment Gap
Three-quarters of people living with epilepsy in low-income countries do not get the treatment they need. Yet, up to 70% of people with epilepsy could become seizure free with appropriate use of cost- effective antiseizure medicines. A significant proportion of the burden of epilepsy could be avoided by scaling up routine availability of antiseizure medicines, possible at an annual cost as low as US$ 5 per person. It is feasible to integrate epilepsy treatment into primary health care – training nonspecialist providers, investing in continuous supplies of antiseizure medicines and strengthening health systems can substantially reduce the epilepsy treatment gap.
Part 4 (Prevention): Campi explains the importance of wearing a cycling helmet
An estimated 25% of epilepsy cases are preventable. The major modifiable risk factors for epilepsy are: perinatal insults, central nervous system infections, traumatic brain injury and stroke. Preventing epilepsy is an urgent unmet need. Effective interventions for prevention are available and delivered as part of broader public health responses in maternal and newborn health care, communicable disease control, injury prevention and cardiovascular health.
Part 5 (The Time to Act is Now): Campi participates in International Epilepsy Day
Sustained and coordinated action to prioritize epilepsy in public health agendas is required at global, regional and national levels. World Health Assembly resolution WHA68.20 on the global burden of epilepsy and the need for coordinated action at the country level to address its health, social and public knowledge implications sets the framework for increasing investment in epilepsy. There is a pressing need for increased investment in research and to address the burden of epilepsy through integration in primary health care, ensuring that all people with epilepsy have access to quality and affordable care.