[Dmom3005]

We are starting to do a newsletter for my work.

I was in Charge of the committee that came up with everything
in this.

Now I tried to get out of the writing of the topics. Sorry can't exactly
explain better.


But I'm supposed to be writing about this.

Epilepsy: Seizures Disorders.

I can't remember exactly what the girl that suggested I write it suggested.

But I'm going to put here what I've written. Want some ideas if it sounds good. I have to figure out how to add words. heehee





My son started having seizures in 1st grade, the beginning of the seizures and epilepsy was very overwhelming for our family. But I started to learn exactly what a toll seizures and epilepsy would take on his learning as time went on. And with other students who have epilepsy, that have uncontrolled seizures. When they have more and more seizures in the days at school, home and other places it takes a stronger toll on them. It can be not only on behaviors, attendance, but in many cases you start to see a decline in other areas. Such as reading, comprehension, and math even IQ with my son, his dropped about 15 points.
Considering that it can take 2, 3, 4 or more medications to attempt to control seizures. Which we know that taking even 1 medication can cause concentration problems. So taking so many more at sometimes high dosages will affect the way they learn. It’s very hard for our students to understand after having been A and B student all the sudden falling down to C’s and D’s or just barely passing. Schools believe that if the student is still passing they don’t need to do anything.
But we as advocate’s and parents need to remember these are some of the Kids that are left on the side. It’s imperative to work through and find a plan for these kids. We as advocates need to know that students having seizures at school, they need a plan so that they can stay and learn. Being sent home is not the answer. Not being allowed to go to school because of seizures isn’t the answer. They may start to fall further behind, and need to learn differently. But they still have dreams, and can reach their dreams. It’s sometimes necessary to learn to reach their dreams in different ways. Sometimes changing what they are after. We as their advocates have to help their teams learn to dream with them in a different way. Such as if they wanted to be a Veterinarian, but now can’t or won’t be able to get a Diploma, maybe they will be a Veterinarian Assistant in the office. Doing things that are needed in the office, like cleaning, walking the animals, and all things that they are taught. Or say they wanted to be a Chef, but now they aren’t going to be able to use a stove. Maybe they can still do something in this area. If they can work with the ingredients, they can get things ready, and the other person put it in.


Donna

[BlueMajo]

I would delete some "dots"... (.)

You can put commas if you want to make pauses... other than that, and as far as my eyes let me read, I like your post Donna

[bizi]

I think you wrote a good letter.
bizi

[Mari]

Donna,

This is good. I read it but I can't get back to you about suggestions tonight. I'll be back here tomorrow night.

I need more information:
1. who is going to read this? the general public? parents? teachers? people who can change the schools?

2. what is the purpose? Is it to make people do something differently? is it for information? ???


M

[Dmom3005]

Thanks to you three, and others


1. WHo will read, This newsletter is going out to our Parent Support
Volunteers. These are the men and women we have trained to help
us in the schools. They can help parents, go to fair, do trainings.

2. What is the purpose? Its mainly for information. In the case of Epilepsy and seizures, though it hopefully will help our advocates as I call them. Make some changes in the schools. At present it isn't unusual to get calls from parents that a school is trying to throw a student out till they aren't having seizures anymore.

Donna

[DiMarie]

Considering that it can take 2, 3, 4 or more medications to attempt to control seizures. Which we know that taking even 1 medication can cause concentration problems. So taking so many more at sometimes high dosages will affect the way they learn.

I thought maybe an example below may flow the way you want. But, I am lousy at writing and am reading challenged.

The combination of multiple medications in high doses will strongly affect the way they (who) learn. We know that taking even one medication can cause concentration problems; now consider the affect of taking the two, three, four or more medications can have on concentration levels.

[Dmom3005]

Yep, Di-Marie

I have to admit, its been something my son has lived with for
probably 8 years or more. He takes 3 medicines currently.

And has for many years. Since I believe 4th grade when hallucinations
started. It just was 4 or 5 at one time.

So we will see, I do know its part of the reason he had such a big
fall in his memory and IQ for lack of the right word.

Donna

Donna, it gets your points across. There's nothing misleading or inaccurate. I used to edit this sort of stuff but it always lost the personality of the writer. In your case, your personality, which shines in your writing, elevates your story. It's not all "proper" grammar. It's a powerful testimony.

I would go with the powerful personality myself. I'm thinking everyone else agrees. Be you. Don't worry about the dote & dashes.

[Dmom3005]

Thanks to everyone.

Its more that I can't come across as rambling.

I have done that in emails and its not good.

heehee

Donna

[waves]

What CarGirl said................... i've been afraid to contribute because my tendency would be to overhaul what you wrote into a more structured document.

i did like DiMarie's edit of the bit on the multiple medications.

i will venture a couple of comments on structure i guess... i would break up the last part into sections (paragraphs). I see two themes:

1... specific problems that arise either directly due to seizures, or due to medication side effects

2... concrete ways in which schools can help students with epilepsy progress and achieve, using alternative methods, rather than throw them out of school.

the content you have is good, as is, but i might also like to see a brief section (perhaps ending paragraph and segue to the throwing out of school bit) something to the effect that this throwing out is overt discrimination and violates the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

thing is, i am not sure how long this piece is supposed to be. that too will determine how much you put in, and how much you elaborate on various things.

you might also want to have a chat with Porkette about this. she posts here on the Epilepsy forum. she is a teacher for students with special needs, and suffers from epilepsy herself. she doesn't take bs from anyone when bad stuff goes down in school.

~ waves ~