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Free program for Gippsland children with epilepsy and their families called Ted-EBear Connection

Epilepsy Action Australia introduces the Ted-EBear Connection program in Gippsland, offering free emotional support to children with epilepsy and families. Each enrolled child receives a teddy bear for comfort during tough times.

By news@gippsland - 19th February 2024 - Back to News

Epilepsy Action Australia has launched a very special program in the Gippsland area. Ted-EBear Connection is providing vital social and emotional support - free-of-charge to children with epilepsy and their families, thanks to generous funding. Children registered for the program will be posted a soft, beautiful, cuddly teddy-bear to be a comforting friend when they are struggling with sadness, distressing seizures, hospital stays, medical tests or the loneliness of feeling different.

Kobe, 4, loves his Ted-E-Bear

Community guidance and support

Ted-E-Bear packs include educational activity packs for older children up to age 12. They also support parents, connecting them with:

• Facebook peer-support group (a community of 1,200 followers) for parents to connect with each other and share their lived experience, facilitated by our specialist epilepsy Registered Nurses
• Online education workshop teaching parents seizure safety and first-aid
• One-on-one advice from our team of Registered Nurses by video call, phone and email
• Ted-E-Bear for young siblings, as having epilepsy in the family affects them too

Epilepsy Action Australia CEO, Carol Ireland says, "Studies show around one-third of children with epilepsy will suffer anxiety and up to 25% have depression; they can also end up socially isolated and lonely. Ted-E-Bear Connection gives them smiles and eases their parents' fears with reliable information about epilepsy and safe seizure response."

Register for the program

Ted-E-Bear Program Registrations are now open for children with epilepsy and their families in the whole of the Gippsland region including:

• Sale
• Lakes Entrance
• Bairnsdale
• Churchill
• Drouin
• Leongatha
• Orbost
• Traralgon
• Mallacoota
• Moe
• Morwell
• Warragul
• Wonthaggi

For more information, to register, or to speak to a specialist Epilepsy Nurse, people of all ages affected by epilepsy can call Epilepsy Action Australia on 1300 37 45 37 (press 1 for the National Epilepsy Line) or email epilepsy@epilepsy.org.au.

About Epilepsy Action Australia

Epilepsy Action Australia (EAA) is the largest provider of education and support services to children and adults with epilepsy across Australia. Our vision is optimal living for people with epilepsy.

And our team of highly qualified registered nurses and educators is equipped with a rich base of technical expertise, built up over six decades of providing services to the community. For more information, visit Epilepsy Action Australia website.

Key Epilepsy Facts

• Epilepsy is a chronic disorder of the brain that affects people of all ages
• Approximately 3% to 3.5% of Australians will experience epilepsy at some point in their lives
• An estimated 170 children under 10 have epilepsy in the Gippsland area, based on 2021 population data and epilepsy prevalence
• While seizures can begin at any age, epilepsy is most frequently diagnosed in early childhood, adolescence and in people over 65 years
• Children represent around 40% of the population with epilepsy
• There are around 40 different types of epilepsy and epilepsy syndromes
• With treatment, around 65-70% of people with epilepsy can successfully control their seizures

For further details please contact epilepsy@epilepsy.org.au. For interview contact Carol Ireland on 0425 269 312 or email cireland@epilepsy.org.au.

Pictures from Epilepsy Action Australia website.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com