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Epilepsy
Epilepsy is a general term that includes various types of seizures. People
with diagnosed epilepsy have had more than one seizure, and they may have had more than one kind of seizure. A seizure happens
when abnormal electrical activity in the brain causes an involuntary change in body movement or function, sensation, awareness,
or behavior.
Epilepsy and seizures affect about 2.3 million Americans, and result in
an estimated annual cost of $12.5 billion in medical costs and lost or reduced earnings and production. People of all ages
are affected, but particularly the very young and the elderly. About 10% of Americans will experience a seizure, and about
3% will have or will have had a diagnosis of epilepsy by age 80.
Living Well with Epilepsy, the first national conference on public health
and epilepsy, convened in September 1997. The conference was cosponsored by CDC, the American Epilepsy Society, the National
Association of Epilepsy Centers, and the Epilepsy Foundation. The conference cosponsors sought to
Assess current knowledge about seizures and epilepsy.
Identify critical gaps in scientific knowledge about epilepsy.
Consider potential
strategies for overcoming barriers to optimal health for people with epilepsy.
Participants collaborated on developing
a list of priority epilepsy concerns ranging from researching the evaluation and care of patients having a first seizure to
combating stigmatization and reducing disabilities associated with epilepsy. This list of priority concerns was the impetus
for developing CDC epilepsy programs directed at improving care, improving communication, self-management, surveillance, and
public awareness.
Learning Disability
Unlike other disabilities, such as paralysis or blindness, a learning disability
(LD) is a hidden handicap. A learning disability doesn't disfigure or leave visible signs that would invite others to be understanding
or offer support. A woman once blurted to Wallace, "You seem so intelligent--you don't look handicapped!"
LD is a disorder that affects people's ability to either interpret
what they see and hear or to link information from different parts of the brain. These limitations can show up in many ways--as
specific difficulties with spoken and written language, coordination, self-control, or attention. Such difficulties extend
to schoolwork and can impede learning to read or write, or to do math.
Learning disabilities can be lifelong conditions that, in some cases, affect
many parts of a person's life: school or work, daily routines, family life, and sometimes even friendships and play. In some
people, many overlapping learning disabilities may be apparent. Other people may have a single, isolated learning problem
that has little impact on other areas of their lives.
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