Epilepsy comes from the ancient Greek verb “to seize possess or afflict”. The disorder is typically characterized by epileptic seizures which can vary from almost undetectable spasms to violent shaking and uncontrollable movements. The seizures tend to recur and are more common as people age. About 5-10% of all people will have an unprovoked seizure by the age of 80!

The causes of epilepsy are largely unknown, although the disorder may be a result of a brain injury, stroke, brain tumour or drug and alcohol abuse. Commonly, epileptic seizures are controlled with medication although in some instances dietary changes can be beneficial too.

Seizures:

Seizures can be characterized into different types: convulsive seizures can be either generalized or partial and an example of non-convulsive seizures include absence seizures (which presents as a decreased level of consciousness and only lasts for seconds).

First Aid Management:

1. Always stay with the person until the seizure is over
• Seizures can be unpredictable and it’s hard to tell how long they may last or what will occur during them. Some may start with minor symptoms, but lead to a loss of consciousness or fall. Other seizures may be brief and end in seconds.
• The person having the seizure may injure themselves and may need extra assistance from other people

2. Pay attention to the length of the seizure
• The seizure should NOT last more than 5 minutes
• Note how long it takes the person to recover and return to their usual activity
• Stay calm! Most seizures only last a few minutes. Do not panic as this may cause others to panic. Reassure the person having the seizure (this also helps to reassure yourself!)

3. Prevent injuries by moving nearby objects out of the way

4. Make the person as comfortable as possible
• Help them to sit down in a safe place
• Try and place them in the recovery position (on their side with the mouth pointing down)
• Support their head to prevent it from hitting the floor
• DO NOT TRY AND HOLD THEM DOWN OR RESTRAIN THEM

5. Do not put anything into the person’s mouth
• It is impossible to swallow your own tongue, even when you are having a seizure
• If you put something into the mouth of the person having the seizure, they will most likely bite it. This could be disastrous if it happens to be your fingers.

6. Make sure that their breathing is okay
• It may look as if their breathing has stopped for awhile and the person may even turn blue. This is because the chest muscles tighten during a specific phase in the seizure. As this part of the seizure ends, the muscles will relax again and breathing will resume although it may be a bit ragged and uneven at first

7. Do not give the person any water, food or pills by mouth until they are fully alert
• The person may swallow incorrectly and choke

8. Be sensitive and supportive and ask others to do the same
• Seizures can be frightening for everybody and also embarrassing for the person experiencing one. Remember this when they wake up.

WHEN TO CALL FOR EMERGENCY MEDICAL HELP

• A seizure lasts 5 minutes or longer.
• One seizure occurs right after another without the person regaining consciousness or coming to between seizures.
• Seizures occur closer together than usual for that person.
• Breathing becomes difficult or the person appears to be choking.
• The seizure occurs in water.
• Injury may have occurred.
• The person asks for medical help.

Authored by: Steven C. Schachter | MD
Reviewed by: Patricia O. Shafer RN MN on 2/2014

Compiled by Rowan Robinson
Manager: Agriculture and Special Projects

Our brain defines who we are but, the consequences of a brain injury can affect all aspects of our lives, including our personality.

A brain injury is very different from breaking a bone. The body is able to rebuild bone by producing new cells and tiny blood vessels which close up the break until it’s as good as new. However, brain injuries do not heal like other injuries. Recovery is a functional recovery, based on mechanisms that remain uncertain.

Since our brain defines who we are, one of the unfortunate consequences of brain injury is that the person often does not realize that a brain injury has occurred. We saw this with one of our learners who had been involved in a serious car accident. He sadly remembered his life only before the accident and what he was capable of. He remembered that he was an Engineering student, but struggled to accept that he no longer could continue in this field. This disorientation affected his ability to function on a daily basis. Staff members at I Can! were able to find him a suitable psychiatrist who was able to stabilize him. We are delighted to report that he is improving daily to the point where he acknowledges his injury and has learnt not only to accept it, but to manage life around his disability.

Natascha Mc Allister
Operations Manager – KZN

After a long day at work, I got home and threw myself on the bed as I was very tired. After few minutes of battling to sleep I realised that my right hand side was numb.

I was shocked when I realized my right hand side including my eye, hand and leg were not functioning. I tried screaming for help but I couldn’t shout. Fortunately my cousin walked into the room and called for assistance. After a few minutes I saw myself in the hospital, a doctor in front of me telling me that I had been hit by a stroke.

This encounter change my entire life; from that day I had a permanent disability: hemiplegia. I couldn’t use my right hand side and I had to start relying on crutches to help me walk. It has been hard because I can’t do things the way I used too. I sometimes become anxious not knowing why, and I have to eat slowly because swallowing can be hard. At times I tend to forget things easily. It has affected a lot of other things in my life, however I am grateful that I am still alive.

I had symptoms which included a strong headache, dizziness, weakness of the right hand side and sometimes I couldn’t speak properly. I did not speak to anyone about this neither did I go see the doctor. My first advice would be for one to be aware of the symptoms, they must go and see a doctor and not ignore the signs as I did. Secondly I would advise people to maintain a healthy lifestyle which includes exercising regularly and eating healthily (a diet filled with fruits and vegetables avoiding cholesterol and saturated fat). To maintain a healthy weight, avoid smoking and to limit the intake of alcohol. Thirdly one should research as much as they can about stroke in general as there are different types of strokes.

Having a stroke does not mean it’s the end of the world. One must take the treatment as advised and for those who haven’t been affected by it – remember that prevention is better than cure. Rehab has also helped me a lot in terms of finding myself. However nothing replaces a loving family, friends and supportive facilitators at I Can! Hence I wish my learnership would never end.

Written by Anonymous

On the 29th of January, after two days of presentation, discussions and planning from the I Can! Operations team we decided that it was time to get some fresh air – and boy did we get more than we bargained for.

Even through almost half the group have a fear of heights everyone very bravely agreed to do a canopy tour at Karloof, just outside Howick. The Karkloof Canopy tour is a unique eco-experience that takes people on a 2 hour adventure through the magnificent Karloof indigenous forest.
It involves traversing from one platform to another along a steel cable suspended up to 30m above the forest floor. Our tour started with a safety briefing followed by a “kitting up” session where harnesses, pulleys and climbing equipment were put on. This was followed by a scenic drive to the top of the Karloff valley where our adventure started.

After some serious monkeying around and gliding on a steel cable from one platform to the next everyone could officially say that they had conquered their fear of heights.
Well done team for your bravery and team spirit! You can be very proud of yourselves.
“I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid but he who conquers that fear.”- Nelson Mandela

Madre Human
General Manager – I Can!

Having committed to swim the world’s largest open water race 2 years ago, our very own MD Ali Smeeton finally did it! She swam the Midmar Mile together with the I Can! Swim Team: I guess it’s never too late! Ali’s son, James Smeeton was the official Ambassador for I Can! and made the Down’s Syndrome community, and us all very proud. Having not had much practice and our nerves almost getting the better of us, I’m happy to report that we all made it in good time. Well done to the team and thanks to everyone for all their support, and special thanks to I Can! Farm for their hospitality.

Go Team!

Ali Smeeton, Madre Human, Natascha McAllister, Claudia Leite, James Smeeton

This is Johannes’s motto in life. He believes in making the best out of every situation even through hardship, and he has already been tested on countless occasions throughout his young life.

He does not give up easily. His journey has been hard but he has managed to live by the life lessons his mother instilled in him. His mother taught him to always be respectful, live his life in the right manner and always aim for the best. Although his mom is no longer with us he still sings about her. He performed a very inspirational song that he himself wrote and dedicated it to his mother at the Valentine’s Day talent show held at I Can!

Johannes is a song writer, rapper and Eastern Province (EP) wrestling instructor/coach amongst many other talents. He is part of a gospel group named Truth Squad. Their main aim is to reach out and inspire the youth through music and poetry, bringing people closer to God and inspiring them to change their lives for the better. They have done amazing things to keep the youth off the streets, and were even featured on Carte Blanche a few years ago as a positive example for the youth.

He continues to thank I Can! for the opportunity he has been given to learn and change his life. He has learned to be independent and he believes that education is a key factor in preparing for a successful coaching career. He is involved in the Barmar awards talent search (gospel category).
If you wish to support him please SMS: Johannes to 35622.
We wish him all the best and hope he wins!!

Lauren Butler
Operations Manager – E Cape

With this month’s newsletter focus on epilepsy and stroke, it’s nice to be able to include a good story on the subject.

One of our ex-I Can! learners Nohlanhla Majola, suffered a stroke in her early twenties as a result of a drug addiction. She spent 12 months in a state rehabilitation institution, after which time she returned to her life with a paralysis which affects the left-hand side of her body as well as affecting her speech.

Khulisani underwent a recruitment process in December to place 28 ex-learners at host sites for BHP, during which Nohlanhla became the Squeaky Wheel – not allowing us to accept that her disability might impair her ability to work with disadvantaged and disabled children. During the selection procedure, Nohlanhla insisted that she attend an interview with the principal of one of the children’s Homes, though I suggested that she may be better suited to a position which necessitated less physical constraints.

Nohlanhla was completely open about her disability in her interview: of how she defeated a habit which nearly killed her and how determined she is to conquer any challenge. Most importantly, she spoke about how much she wanted to give back and teach/show others how disabilities can be overcome.

Remarkably (to the writer) the interviewer set about re-arranging ex-learners, who had already been appointed to positions, to facilitate the employment of Nohlanhla in the rehab unit of the care facility. She now looks after young boys who have come from a life of addiction, and is able to understand and encourage them with compassion and empathy. She has retained the physical help of one of the house gardeners when there is a chore to be done which is difficult for her.

Her story and her determination are inspirational! She teaches us that attitude and hard work, determination and a good dose of nagging are what gets us where we need to be!

Rachael Erskine

National Operations Manager – Khulisani