Susan Axelrod, Connie Milstein Host CURE Epilepsy Event

White House Correspondents Weekend Insider:

Hundreds gathered at the Newseum Wednesday evening to recognize the scientific work of CURE Epilepsy, raise awareness, and to honor 2010 Friend of CURE Awardee, longtime television producer and WHCInsider's own Tammy Haddad.

Susan Axelrod, Chair and founding member of Citizens United for Research in Epilepsy, was on hand to mark the special occasion. Axelrod and Connie Milstein, CURE supporter and noted philanthropist, co-hosted the event.

Read the whole story: White House Correspondents Weekend Insider

Comments

[shutterbabe]

12:29 PM on 12/11/2010

I would like to share some insight on Epilepsy as it is a greatly misunderstood medical condition.

Here are some statistics om seizure disorders. 3 million Americans of all ages are affected with 200,000 new cases occuring each year. 10% of Americans with experience a seizure in their lifetime. 45,000 children under the age of 15 develop Epilepsy each year. Males are slightly more likely than females and the incidences are greater in African Americans and socially disadvantaged populations.

In 70% of new cases, no cause is apparent. There is a greater risk in special populations such as children with mental retardation, cerebral palsy and other disabilities. Alzheimer and stroke patients can be seizure prone.

The good news is that 70% can be expected to enter remission, which is defined as 5 or more years seizure free on medication. 10% of new patients fail to gain control of seizures despite optimal medical management.

These may seem like hard numbers to you but for me they define something more as I have Epilepsy. It is a fairly new condition for me, the result of a viral infection while I was living in Mexico. The last 7 years has been a difficult journey, trying to gain control of my health and wonderful life as a documentary photographer. The medications can be brutal, any seizure life threatening. This I know to be true.

If this condition resonates with you in anyway, you have my compassion and hope.

http://www.epilepsyfoundation.org/about/

[1murillo]

01:49 PM on 12/12/2010

#1096.

[1murillo]

01:50 PM on 12/12/2010

"Previously fanned, but faved;)

[shutterbabe]

02:08 PM on 12/12/2010

Hello 1murillo! That you for those kind gestures. I think we have been fans of each other for a while ;-)) I know that this article is not going to get a lot of attention but I like to share information and reach out to others. I hope all is well in your own world. Happy Holidays!

[logic-a-go-go]

10:04 PM on 12/10/2010

I've seen this photo a number of places, and it always creeps me out.

[shutterbabe]

11:55 AM on 12/11/2010

I am stunned by your post. This is a very serious story and the photograph respresents the heartfelt struggle of those who deal with epilepsy. I would try to educate you on this neurological condition but I believe I would be wasting my time. It might creep you out.

[logic-a-go-go]

08:38 PM on 12/11/2010

Indeed it is a serious neurological condition, but it is also a creepy photo. No one needs you--"shutterbabe"- to "educate" them; thanks, anyway.