Voice Epilepsy

Voice Epilepsy Episode 16: Service Dogs for People with Epilepsy

In this episode of the Voice Epilepsy™ podcast, BC Epilepsy Society staff members, Sonia Ali and Christine Jamieson discuss service dogs for people with epilepsy, which are known as Seizure Response Dogs.

Listen to this podcast to learn more about what a Seizure Response Dog is and does, as well as information on owning, training, certifying, and obtaining an epilepsy service dog.

During the podcast, Christine also talks about her Seizure Response Dog, Eva, and discusses the path she took to get her trained and certified as an official service dog in the province of British Columbia. If this is something you are looking into and if you have any questions for Christine about this, you can email her at impactspeaker@bcepilepsy.com.

Please see below for the links and contact information of the organization discussed during the podcast:

• Guide Dog & Service Dog Certification: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/justice/human-rights/guide-and-service-dog
• The International Guide Dog Federation: https://www.igdf.org.uk/
• Assistance Dogs International: https://assistancedogsinternational.org/
• The Lion’s Foundation of Canada: http://www.dogguides.com/ | info@dogguides.com | 905-842-2891
• BC & Alberta Guide Dogs: https://www.bcandalbertaguidedogs.com/ | info@bcguidedog.com | 604-940-4504
• The Canadian Association of Guide & Assistance Dog Schools: http://www.cagads.com/
• Key Companions Service Dogs: fur4all@home.com | 905-857-9547
• West Coast Access: 604-485-6062
• Paws4People: https://www.paws4people.org/ | info@paws4people.org | 910-632-0615
• Paws with a Cause: 616-877-7297
• Courageous Companions Incorporated: https://www.courageouscompanions.ca/
• Red Dog Training Solutions: https://www.reddoginc.ca/ | 780-782-7318

Voice Epilepsy Episode 15: Interview with Chuck Carmen, Executive Director of the Epilepsy Association and Founder of EpilepsyU and EpilepsyStore

Chuck Carmen joins us on the Voice Epilepsy™ podcast as host Kim Davidson, the CEO & Executive Director of the BC Epilepsy Society and the Founder of the I AM A VOICE for Epilepsy Awareness™ campaign, interviews Chuck Carmen, the Executive Director of the Epilepsy Association and the founder of EpilepsyU and the EpilepsyStore to discuss all of the amazing things that he has done for epilepsy.

Chuck Carmen has been the Executive Director of the Epilepsy Association since 1994 and only the second leader in the agency’s 59-year history. Selected by Southeast Association Magazine as one of the four most influential executives in the United States, he has served a board member of the Florida Society of Association Executives as well as the former Epilepsy Foundation of Florida and the Florida Epilepsy Services Providers Association.

Chuck is also the Founder of EpilepsyU.com, an online epilepsy news and education site that now reaches and average of 3.8 million people every month in over 150 countries. He also founded the Epilepsy Association’s social enterprise, EpilepsyStore.com, an online epilepsy awareness product store where 100% of the proceeds support the programs of Association.

Chuck’s long history in epilepsy has now made him the longest serving epilepsy executive director in the state of Florida. In addition to managing the day-to-day operations of the Epilepsy Association, his experience and knowledge has certified him as an “expert witness” where he has testified in numerous high profile cases involving epilepsy. Personally, he has conducted hundreds of presentations, seminars, and training programs on all aspects of epilepsy as well as becoming one of the nation’s leaders in the education and prevention of Shaken Baby Impact Syndrome.

Voice Epilepsy Episode 14: University of Victoria Study Seeks BC Family Participation

In this episode of the Voice Epilepsy™ podcast, host Kim Davidson, is joined by Registered Psychologist and PhD level Pediatric Neuropsychologist, Dr. Sarah J. Macoun to discuss the Dino Island research intervention from the University of Victoria (UVic)

Dino Island is a cognitive intervention designed to improve attention and executive function abilities in children with neurodevelopmental concerns, special needs, and/or disabilities.

Dino Island combines tablet-base gaming with ‘interventionist’ training tailored to non- professionals (such as parents, teachers, support workers, etc.) by introducing evidence-based strategies for teaching problem-solving techniques to children.

This study is looking for participation from parents of children with neurodevelopmental issues and/or epilepsy.

For more information on this study, you can visit http://uvicdinoisland.cogtrain.ca/.

To sign up to take part in this study, please visit http://uvicdinoisland.cogtrain.ca/contact/.

Voice Epilepsy Episode 13: Canada-Wide Neurodevelopmental Study Seeks BC Family Participation

In this episode of the Voice Epilepsy™ podcast, host Kim Davidson, is joined by Psychologist, Dr. Patrick McGrath and Research Assistant, Chaya Seale from the IWK Health Centre to discuss the Strongest Families Neurodevelopmental Study (part of the CHILD-BRIGHT Network).

The Strongest Families Neurodevelopmental Program, “Parents Empowering Neurodiverse Kids”, has been developed to deliver evidence-based care to families in the comfort of their own homes. Our program includes 11 skill-based education sessions, weekly telephone support from trained coaches, video/audio skill demonstrations, and a Parent-to-Parent online support group. 

This study is looking for participation from parents of children with neurodevelopmental issues and/or epilepsy.

For more information on this study, you can visit www.crfh.ca/neuro or contact them by telephone by dialing 1-877-341-8309 and then hitting Menu Option 1 and then Menu Option 2.

To sign up to take part in this research study, please visit www.mystudies.ca/studies/neuro.

Voice Epilepsy Episode 12 Interview with Cassidy Megan, Founder of Purple Day®

"I have many heroes and here is a special one … tens of millions worldwide know her! She's been honoured by the Queen, NASA and dignitaries from around the world … modest, humble, kind and Canadian. She is Cassidy Megan, Founder of International Purple Day® for Epilepsy Awareness."
-Kim Davidson, Voice Epilepsy™ Podcast Host

Cassidy Megan joins us on the Voice Epilepsy™ podcast as host Kim Davidson, the CEO & Executive Director of the BC Epilepsy Society and the Founder of the I AM A VOICE for Epilepsy Awareness™ campaign, interviews Cassidy to discuss all of the amazing things that she has done to grow global awareness of epilepsy.

Listen to learn how Cassidy’s reach went beyond Earth’s stratosphere and into space when astronaut, Ricky Arnold, wore purple on the Space Station on Purple Day® and all of the staff at NASA's Mission Control Center in Houston were wearing purple as well. Or how she helped to set a Guiness World Record for the largest seizure first aid training session. And much more!

Happy Purple Month and Happy Purple Day® everyone!

You may find Cassidy on these social media platforms:

• Twitter: https://twitter.com/PurpleDay
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PurpleDayforEpilepsy/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/purpledaymarch26/
• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@purpledaymarch26?lang=en
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/PURPLEDAYdotORG/featured
• Website: https://www.purpleday.org/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cassidy-megan-b3187583/

Voice Epilepsy Podcast 11: Conversations with Sonia and Christine - Epilepsy and Seizure Triggers

This podcast goes over some of the most common triggers for seizures in people living with epilepsy.

Voice Epilepsy Podcast 10: Conversations with Sonia and Christine - Epilepsy and Daily Life

This podcast goes over information on some of the changes in daily life that may come with a diagnosis of epilepsy.

Voice Epilepsy Podcast 9: Conversations with Sonia and Christine - Epilepsy and Memory

This podcast goes over some of the memory issues that people living with epilepsy may face and provides some tips on how to combat these issues.

Voice Epilepsy Episode 8: CBD and Epilepsy

This podcast focuses on the use of cannabidiol (CBD) as a potential epilepsy therapy option, including the current research behind CBD, how it can be used as a treatment option for epilepsy, and what is known about CBD and its side effects and indications featuring the expertise of Dr. Chantelle Hrazdil, MD, FRCPC who is an adult neurologist and epileptologist at the Adult Epilepsy Clinic at Vancouver General Hospital and a Clinical Assistant Professor at the UBC Division of Neurology.

Voice Epilepsy Episode 7: Cognition and Epilepsy

This podcast focuses on the cognitive aspects of living with epilepsy including an overview of cognition, causes of cognitive problems in epilepsy, and practical tips for people living with epilepsy to protect brain health and compensate for cognitive difficulties featuring the expertise of Dr. Jing Ee Tan, PhD, ABPP-CN, who is a board-certified clinical neuropsychologist at Vancouver Coastal Health.