HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-05-2004 Proclamation - National Epilepsy Awareness Month Cet ter at Good£jlx _
kk 1i> Agenda 10-05-04
Item II.B.
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Proclamation
'V}LEcR9 J S, Epilepsy, also known as Seizure Disorder, has afflicted mankind since the dawn of our species
and has been recognized since the earliest medical writings; and
WiPEREAS, as long ago as 400 B.C., Hippocrates, the Father of Medicine, repudiated ancient beliefs that
Epilepsy was a visitation from the gods and sacred or that it was a curse from the gods that
people afflicted with this disorder held prophetic powers. Hippocrates believed that Epilepsy
was a brain disorder; and
`r4 1i!EcR EJ4.S, a seizure is a sudden, brief attack of altered consciousness, motor activity or sensory phenomena.
It is a sign that certain brain cells (neurons) are discharging an excessive amount of electrical
impulses; and
WiPEREAS, Epilepsy can be caused by injury to the brain, lack of oxygen at birth, brain tumor, infection and
brain hemorrhage. In sixty percent of the cases, the cause is unknown; and
W.1LE 1, S, Epilepsy can affect anyone, at any age and at any time; and
W EKEAS, more than two million Americans are afflicted with some type of Epilepsy. Of this number,
150,000 are Florida residents; and
WHEAS, with the administration of anticonvulsant drugs, two-thirds (66.66%) of those afflicted with
Epilepsy are drug controlled; and
`GVt1EcEAS, lack of education about this disorder has contributed to age old myths, superstitions and
prejudices; and
TOPER the stigma associated with this disorder is sometimes worse than the disorder itself; and
' i E EAS, people who have Epilepsy make reliable and conscientious workers in job performance,
productivity, safety, cooperation and attendance; and
EEA5, studies carried out in the UNITED STATES over the past thirty years have indicated that of all
disabilities, Epilepsy poses the greatest barrier to employment with unemployment rates
estimated to fall between twenty and twenty-five percent; and
Wag 4S, Epilepsy should not be a barrier to success. In addition to the normal requirements for success, a
person who has Epilepsy needs a supportive environment and employers who are willing to give
them an opportunity to become productive citizens,
NOW, ViEKErFOU, I, S. Scott Vandergrift, Mayor of the City of Ocoee, do hereby declare the 9rlontk
ofWovem6er as
NATIONAL Eq'ILETS'YAWARENE SS MO?VTI(
IN` reiMs WOEREOT, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Seal of the City of Ocoee, Florida
to be affixed this 5th day of October 2004.
S. Scott Vandergrift, Mayor
Supported by and attested to by Ocoee City Commissioners
Danny Howell, Commissioner District 1 Scott Anderson, Commissioner District 2
Rusty Johnson, Commission District 3 Nancy Parker, Commissioner District 4