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IBE Day at the 34th International Epilepsy Congress Wednesday 1st September 2021 Time: 07:00 EST, 13:00 CET/CAT, 16:30 IST, 19:00 CST, 21:00 AEST If you are unsure about the start time for where you live, contact us at [email protected] for help. PROGRAMME 1. Making Epilepsy a National Health Priority - intersectoral collaboration Chairs: Mary Secco, IBE Secretary General and Action Amos, IBE Vice President Africa Topics and speakers: 10-year intersectoral global action plan on epilepsy and other neurological disorders (IGAP) Tarun Dua, WHO Brain Health Unit Improving care for children with neurological disorders in resource poor settings Jo Wilmshurst, President International Childhood Neurology Association Improving access to essential medicines Gaby Ooms, Health Action International Putting epilepsy on social policy and development agendas John O'Toole, Division for Inclusive Development, UN Dept of Economic & Social Affairs Leveraging the IGAP to improve care for people with epilepsy Alla Guekht, Chair ILAE Global Advocacy Council Working with donors Gardiner Lapham, Trustee BAND Foundation Epilepsy Advocates Toolkit Karen Robinson, Epilepsy South Africa Global health in epilepsy database Karen Parko, ILAE North America 2. Empowering Youth to Raise their Voices Chairs: Lorraine Lally (Ireland) and Scarlett Paige (Australia), co-chairs of the IBE Youth Team Topics [...]

Following the close of the election nomination period, we would like to introduce the incoming Vice President North American Region, Deirdre Floyd. Deirdre will complete the current term of IBE Regional Vice Presidents, which will come to a close at the time of the IBE General Assembly in 2023. I was diagnosed with epilepsy when I was 14 years old and for many years my seizures were relatively controlled. I worked at many different jobs although my true background is in the arts as a production assistant and make-up artist. Over 35 years ago my seizures changed significantly and I had to stop working. My epilepsy specialist suggested I contact the Epilepsy Association of the Maritimes to do volunteer work. Since then, I’ve held many different positions including Fundraising Chair, Vice Chair, and President of the local agency. I have done a significant amount of advocacy work at the local and national levels, including chairing the Purple Day for Epilepsy Campaign that was founded by Cassidy Megan in Nova Scotia, and serving as President of the Canadian Epilepsy Alliance. Until recently I served on the board of the Canadian League Against Epilepsy representing the Canadian Epilepsy Alliance (CEA). Currently I serve [...]

Join us on Sunday, 13th June, for the IBE Epilepsy & Society Symposium as part of the 13th AOEC congress programme! The all-day programme is a great opportunity for people with #epilepsy and their care providers to take part in a day of interactive discussion with speakers. While there will be some focus on the situation for people with epilepsy living in the South East Asian and Western Pacific regions, there will be plenty to interest everyone! Time: 09:00 - 17:30 Japan Standard Time Topics include: Epilepsy & Covid-19 Driving with Epilepsy Golden Light Awards with personal testimonials Review of the Special Art Exhibition REGISTRATION NOW OPEN! http://www.epilepsycongress.org/aoec/registration/   Delegate Registration Fees (for Symposium only): High Income Countries: US$30 up to 14th May, US$45 from 15th May Upper Middle Income Countries: US$20 to 14th May, US$30 from 15th May Lower and Middle Income Countries: US$15 to 14th May, US$20 from 15th May Links: Register for the symposium here Find out if you qualify for reduced registration here For any questions on registration, please email [email protected] For any general queries on the symposium, please email [email protected] All presentations and discussion will be in English. Organised by the IBE Regional Executive Committees Western [...]

A Golden Opportunity to recognise and award a young person affected by epilepsy in your Chapter Is there a young member of your association who is affected by epilepsy or cares for someone with epilepsy, who has been a “shining light” for others and is deserving of recognition? We are calling on IBE chapters to submit nominations for the International Golden Light Award, to be presented during the 34th International Epilepsy Congress 2021. BACKGROUND The award recognises the contributions of people affected by epilepsy in their community and were first presented in 2004, with the original title ‘Outstanding Person with Epilepsy Award’. The title of the award was changed to Golden Light Awards in 2016, to recognise the fact that people with epilepsy should not be defined by their condition, thereby embracing the call of the International Bureau for Epilepsy to ‘bring epilepsy out of the shadows and into the light’. The awards are now presented at all regional and international epilepsy congresses. CANDIDATES To be considered for an award, candidates must be between 18 and 35 years of age on 1st January 2021. Proof of age may be requested. The candidate must be nominated by the IBE chapter in which [...]

Announcing an Art Exhibition taking place at the 13th Asian & Oceanian Epilepsy Congress An invitation is being extended to submit artwork to be exhibited at the time of the 13th Asian & Oceanian Epilepsy Congress in June. Below you will find details of the exhibition and guidelines for submitting artwork. Submissions are invited from all regions of the world and in a variety of art forms including painting, needlework and sculpture. The deadline for submissions is 21st May. Anyone, of any age, can take part, including people with epilepsy and their carers, doctors, nurses, social workers, etc. Entries will be exhibited on the Art Exhibition Gallery as part of the virtual 13 AOEC with three artworks selected to feature at the IBE Epilepsy & Society Symposium taking place virtually on Sunday, 13 June 2021. SUBMISSION RULES: Any of the following art media are acceptable for the exhibition: Painting or drawing Photomontage Pottery Sculpture Beadwork, embroidery or needlework A contestant may submit up to a maximum of 3 pieces of art. Submission can be made using a scan or photo of the artwork. Scans or photos should be between 1MB - 3MB file size or should be spread over multiple emails.The [...]

Vaccines against COVID19 are currently being approved and becoming available. There is currently no evidence to suggest that having epilepsy is specifically associated with a higher risk of side effects from a COVID-19 vaccine. For people with epilepsy, the risk of COVID-19 infection and potential complications far outweighs the risk of side effects from a COVID-19 vaccine. As with other vaccines however, a fever can develop after a COVID-19 vaccination. This could lower the seizure threshold in some people. Antipyretics (e.g. paracetamol/acetaminophen) taken regularly for 48 hours after the vaccination (or for the duration of fever) will minimize this risk. Before you receive a COVID-19 vaccine, make sure to let your vaccination provider know that you have epilepsy, as well as any other important medical information, such as: Allergies, especially an allergy to any ingredient in the vaccine Allergic reactions to prior vaccines (e.g. flu vaccine) Current or recent fever or infection All medications you are taking, especially medications that suppress the immune system (e.g. immunomodulatory or immunosuppressive medicines) or anticoagulants. If you are pregnant or nursing, or plan to become pregnant As with any vaccine, you should not receive the COVID-19 vaccine if you are allergic to any of its [...]