Hesperian Health Guides
Help the Community Understand Epilepsy
HealthWiki > Disabled Village Children > Chapter 29: Seizures: Epilepsy > Helping the Community Understand Epilepsy
Some parents may try to keep the child’s seizures a secret and hide them from others who unfairly shame, treat badly or isolate a family that has a child with epilepsy.
For centuries, epilepsy was mistakenly believed to be the result of witchcraft or the work of evil spirits. However, epilepsy is a condition that causes changes in electrical activity in the brain. It is not a sign of mental illness, nor does it result from bad actions by the child or parents or ancestors. When medicines control epilepsy, you cannot even know that a person has it.
Note: Epilepsy is not contagious! You can’t catch it like a cold.
Children with epilepsy must be supported to live with freedom, confidence and respect. Parents of children with epilepsy and health workers can help everyone in the community realize that. Neighbors, teachers, bus drivers, and police must learn about epilepsy and how to help a person having a seizure.
It is important for their well-being that children with epilepsy feel seen and heard. They can go to public markets and playgrounds with family and friends. School-aged children must go to school and help their family with day-to-day chores. Exercise and play help them stay fit and healthy, and help them learn and develop relationships. This is true even if seizures are not completely under control. School teachers and other children should learn about epilepsy and how to protect a child when she has a seizure. If they learn more about epilepsy it will help them to be supportive rather than afraid or cruel (see "CHILD-to-child activities").
Although children with epilepsy should be encouraged to lead active lives, certain precautions may be necessary, especially for those children who have frequent and sudden seizures.
Children can learn to help keep each other safe, including any children with epilepsy, especially at times when danger is greatest: in and around rivers, lakes and swimming pools, near fire or in the kitchen, and while climbing trees or riding bikes or playing sports.