Hi everyone,
Sorry it's been so long since I've written. So far, this has been a very busy week, but very exciting!
1.) Monday - TV/Radio Interview
On Monday, I was at a university called UPAEP where we've been planning an epilepsy conference. I hadn't heard anything from them, but then got an email on Sunday night saying to come to the school for a press conference on Monday. I didn't really think anything of it, but when I arrived, there was a camera crew and various reporters. Sometimes I'm alright in those situations, but usually not. I was behind the microphones and suddenly my heart started racing and I turned bright red. haha Oh well, the good news is, we got the word out that we were going to have a conference on Wednesday. Here are some articles that were written:
http://impulsoinformativo.net/2014/03/11/epilepsia-padecimiento-mas-comun-de-lo-que-creemos-upaep/
http://www.heraldodepuebla.com.mx/2014-03-11/educacion/una-buena-dieta-alimenticia-disminuye-ataques-academica
http://www.oronoticias.com.mx/detalleNota.php?id=117881
http://retodiario.com/despliegue-noticia2012.php?id=59303&-Noticias-Puebla-En-Segundo-Hasta-6-de-cada-mil-personas-padecen-epilepsia
http://www.opinion.com.mx/noticia-desp-imp.php?id_noticia=78199
2.) Tuesday - Art Therapy Workshop in Cholula (suburb of Puebla)
Last week I was told that we were going to begin having weekly art therapy workshops, which are helpful for those with epilepsy. Last Tuesday I was totally unprepared, but thankfully there was only one person, so it wasn't that bad. But this week, there were 5 people and I actually had a plan. If anyone is interested, here is the lesson plan:
"Scribbling with Eyes Closed"
1.) Close your eyes, put a pen in the middle of the paper, and begin scribbling for 30 seconds while listening to classical music. Look for an image with the scribbled mess and use crayons to color, then give it a name.
2.) Turn the paper over and fold it in half. On one side, close your eyes for 30 seconds and do the same thing, but with a different type of music. Then do it on the next half of the sheet with another type of music. Compare your drawings. You will be surprised that a lot of them will be similar, while other drawings will demonstrate lyrics from the songs. This is a way to work different parts of your brain.
3.) Wednesday - Epilepsy Conference in UPAEP
This morning I got up early and went to UPAEP where we had a very professional conference. Over 250 people attended! We had a table set up outside the auditorium where we handed out brochures and seizure calendars. In the auditorium, there was a table on stage where they had me sit along with 5 doctors and staff members. We then had the conference in which two doctors spoke, one neurologist and one psychiatrist. Then I gave my presentation. It truly was amazing to see the facial reactions. After I spoke, a girl came up to me with tears in her eyes and hugged me, saying I was a true inspiration. (That was really sweet!) She said she doesn't have epilepsy but asked if she could still be part of the group. I smiled and said of course.
Then I ate lunch with those two doctors and faculty members as well as my friend Urias who has epilepsy and was helping me. Then at 4:00, Urias and I went to a nutrition class where they were cooking a meal from the Ketogenic Diet, which is a form of treatment for those with epilepsy. It was so interesting. I couldn't believe these faculty members actually took an entire class period to teach others about a form of epilepsy treatment.
I truly am thankful for this experience of being able to be here and give back to others.
