Give now to help us support more Tasmanians.
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Edition 42, 2021
Hi Friend,
This week I mark five years as CEO of Epilepsy Tasmania and I've been reflecting on our celebrations and challenges and looking forward to my next five.
Through advocacy and awareness-raising efforts, we are proud to now be known as 'Tasmania’s voice for epilepsy'. Our team has grown over the years to include allied health professionals, communications, community engagement, volunteer coordination and administration.
Our rollout of the Epilepsy Smart Schools program, endorsed by the Minister for Education, is starting to make a real impact in Tassie schools and we regularly receive grateful feedback from students who have epilepsy as well as families and teachers.
Epilepsy Tasmania is Tasmania's only direct-service provider for people with epilepsy and we are grateful for continued State Government funding to help us meet growing service requests. However, Tasmania has the highest prevalence of epilepsy in Australia so our services are highly sought-after and we desperately need to increase our ability to meet the needs of all Tasmanians who contact us for help.
Friend, this June we are asking you to make a tax-deductible donation to ensure we can help every Tasmanian who asks us for support.
Please give generously,
Wendy Groot, CEO Epilepsy Tasmania.
Donate to Support our Local Services
Epilepsy Tasmania's staff travel all over our state to ensure the 20,000 Tasmanians who have epilepsy and the 80,000 family members, work colleagues and friends who support them, can receive the services, care and advice they need.
Unfortunately, medication to control seizures does not work for 6,000 of these Tasmanians who have epilepsy and this can result in loss of driving license, job, memory, learning capacity, social networks and quality of life. As a result, they often also live below the poverty line and rely heavily on Epilepsy Tasmania.
Your tax-deductible donation will ensure Tasmanians are able to get the help they need.
Tasmania has the highest prevalence of epilepsy in Australia - please give generously so we can meet growing demand.
Help Steer Epilepsy Tasmania
We are looking for 3 new volunteer members for our Board of Governance. These important roles will guide the future direction of Epilepsy Tasmania and you will work alongside a diverse team of people to make a real difference.
We are hoping to find Tasmanians with a lived experience of epilepsy (personal or observed) so that we can enhance our ability to meet the needs of Tasmania's epilepsy community. Otherwise, an interest in health or the community health sector will be looked on keenly.
Read how epilepsy affects us in Australia
Following feedback, this newsletter will now include more information on what is happening around the world with epilepsy research and treatments. Read below about our own respected Tasmanian research - the first of its type in Tasmania - and the national Deloitte Access Economics report which outlines the costs and burdens of epilepsy across Australia.
FREE First Aid Course
This basic theory-only course is free and a great start for people who can't afford the face-to-face cost of practical training.
It would also be a great course for anyone wanting to refresh their first aid theory to ensure that they are current with their first aid / CPR knowledge.
Please note - this should not replace practical first aid training or CPR courses.
More info: https://www.firstaidforfree.com/
TeleHealth
Did you know this bulk-billed psychology telehealth service is still available? This Sydney-based company provides up to 20 bulk-billed sessions with a GP Mental Health Plan or $88 sessions for people without Medicare or who are self-referred.
Telehealth sessions can be via phone or video call and are 50 minutes duration. Offered 7 days a week with after-hours also available.
More info here: https://someone.health/
Testimonial - putting learning into action!
"I would just like to thank Shirley at Epilepsy Tasmania for her epilepsy training to Oak Possability staff. It became beneficial a week ago when one of our participants had a seizure. Three staff who attended this training were able to utilise what they had learned and provided the needed support. Many thanks again."
Sharon Grundy, Senior Support Professional, Oak Possability.
“It’s easy to spend time wondering whether to or not… when something could have been achieved in the meantime.”
Victoria Alexander
Epilepsy Tasmania is a not-for-profit community organisation improving the quality of life of Tasmanians with epilepsy, and those around them, through education, coordination and support.
