Purple Day
What is Purple Day?
Purple Day (Friday 26th March) is a global initiative dedicated to raising epilepsy awareness. Purple Day was founded in 2008, by nine-year-old Cassidy Megan of Nova Scotia, Canada.
Motivated by her own struggles with epilepsy, Cassidy started Purple Day in an effort to get people talking about the condition and to let those impacted by seizures know that they are not alone. She named the day Purple Day after the internationally recognised colour for epilepsy, lavender.
Epilepsy is a neurological condition, which is characterized by seizures, which cause involuntary movements, shaking, confusion and anxiety. Seizures vary, and coming across somebody who is having a seizure can be terrifying, especially for those with limited knowledge about epilepsy. This is why campaigns like Purple Day are so important.
Epilepsy is a poorly understood condition, despite the fact that it is the 4th most common neurological disease. Statistics show that 1 in 26 people will develop epilepsy in their lifetime. Although epilepsy is prevalent, public awareness is low, and many people are unaware of the symptoms and signs of epilepsy and how it impacts sufferers.
Despite advances in the understanding and treatment of epilepsy within the past several decades, public attitude to Epilepsy remains to be superstitious. There is a deep-rooted prejudice against epilepsy, and many still attribute it to witchcraft and curses making it a dreaded disease. These beliefs have resulted in patients with epilepsy being ostracized, stigmatized and misunderstood.
People with epilepsy who are stigmatized can endure devastating consequences, including lower self-esteem, social anxiety, discrimination, isolation, reduced access to care and resources, and negative health outcomes.
People with epilepsy may hide their symptoms from others and even delay seeking care, Many people with epilepsy fear that openly discussing their diagnosis will result in the loss of relationships, driving privileges, jobs, and more.
The Purple campaign will educate the public with the knowledge and insight to support those who display symptoms of seizures and raise awareness of a condition that affects thousands of people across the world.
