II(B) Proclamation - National Epilepsty Awareness Month - November 2003 tetltet of Good z j� Agenda 10-21-2003
Item II B
OCOEE
Proclamation
I)33 teNtCRO, 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
I1)3K3ACR +, 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
1?IL)C3AeR , 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
Iy31.*3ACRO, 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
Ill3►Jt3Aesal+, Epilepsy can affect anyone,at any age and at any time;and
11J3114E3AIE ik, more than two million Americans are afflicted with some type of Epilepsy. Of this number,150,000
are Florida residents;and
I1J3t14E3ACRO, with the administration of anticonvulsant drugs,two-thirds(66.66%)of those afflicted with Epilepsy
are drug controlled;and
1}/3bC3AQE (*, lack of education about this disorder has contributed to age old myths,superstitions and prejudices;
and
1J)3K3AQERO, the stigma associated with this disorder is sometimes worse than the disorder itself,and
IV31.013AsteRi+, people who have Epilepsy make reliable and conscientious workers in job performance,productivity,
safety,cooperation and attendance;and
1/AX31 CZO, 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
It11 I*3ACR*, 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,
l2®I21, a"3Z1GEikC9F®3AGE, I, S. Scott Vandergrift, Mayor of the City of Ocoee, do hereby declare the Month of
November as
NATIONAL EPILEPSY AWARENESS MONTH
IN WITNESS WHEREOF,I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Seal of the City of Ocoee,Florida to be affixed
this 21st day of October,2003.
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 ancy Parker,Commissioner District 4
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