REACHING

OUTE S N O C A P R I L 2 0 1 2

of Orange County

Join us for our most meaningful fundraiser, as people gather with friends, family, and as a community to celebrate a day for people with epilepsy.

April 28th marks our third annual Epilepsy Walk Orange County. We walk for the thousands of Orange County residents affected by epilepsy, with special interest in the approximate 11,200 individuals who continue to have seizures that are unable to be controlled by medication, as well as the 10,000 others who only experience seizure

THANK YOUESNOC is proud to announce these outstanding members in our network...

Drs. Mona Sazgar and Richard Kim are newly esteemed members of the ESNOC Advisory Board. Their professional contributions are greatly appreciated.

Thank you to our Letter of Appeal Donors who through their generous donation, have helped us raise $7,560.

Names to be published in our Fall newsletter.

The most vulnerable population, 0-2 year olds, has the highest incidence of epilepsy, yet many of their seizures types are not recognized or diagnosed. Our Community Education and Early Intervention program, Building a Healthy Brain, is bringing aware-ness to hundreds of parents through parent educations programs and organizations. Of-fering our free presentations to the greatest “at-risk” population in Orange County will

hopefully result in early detec-tion and optimum treatment. There is a great urgency in detecting and controlling sei-zures for the best possible outcomes for these young

donations at work Building a Healthy Brain

Two time Epilepsy Walk OC Top Fundraiser, Savannah Salazar, strolls with her team, Savannah’s Slamajammas on the EWOC 2011 parade route. They are back this year as Savannah’s Pajamas - look for her again on the leader board!

control at the cost of debilitating side effects from medications. It is essential to enable ESNOC to offer its programs and services at no charge to community members.

Participants will get started at 8:30 am to check-in at Registration. Spirits will be high and participants can decorate signs to stand out in the crowd. Walgreens HB is spon-soring this year’s Spirit Booth for that last minute rally. Be sure to stop by early while supplies last. At 9:45 am the celebratory parade will begin and the Epilepsy Walk OC Grand Marshalls will judge for the Walkers Showing the Greatest Team Spirit.

There are more ways to win, as there is still time to be one of the first 20 team captains to raise $300, and win 10 carnival tickets.

Another great way to win is to be one of the top five fundraisers. We are watching the leader board for some new names to join

Continued on the next page.

STOP

SEIZURES

4.28.2012

EPILEPSY WALK ORANGE COUNTY

EPILEPSY SUPPORT NETWORK OF ORANGE COUNTY

children. Seizures need to be stopped as soon as possible to preserve the developing brain from damage.

Last year we educated 380 parents of young children. Seizure Recognition and First Aid, our most requested presenta-tion, educated 523 teachers. For 2010 to this date we have educated over 1,400 individuals and continue to pro-vide these services to our community.

April 13 | Friday, 6-8:45 pm

Emotional Support for Parents, led by Phyllis Larkin, PsyD, she will help you put a positive spin on our emotional triggers.

Adult and Parent Educational Support Groups will discuss Identifying and Eliminating Seizure Triggers dr. diane stein will emphasize the importance of keeping track of any factors that may precipi-tate a seizure in you (also called seizure triggers) Parents can also do this for their children with epilepsy. Her experience with adults and children with epilepsy will help everyone better identify and understand the balance between quality of life choices and the physical, emotional and environmental factors that affect your epilepsy.

Teen Club, Jennifer leath, psyd will tackle social skills through entertaining activities.

Friday Friends Club, 6-8:45 pm, ages 1-12 years of age.

2012 Calendar 2nd Friday/Month

Meeting location:

HOAG Hospital, Irvine 16200 Sand Canyon Avenue

Irvine, CA, 92618

Jan 13 epilepsy in the new year, an overview

feb 10 what is your epilepsy diagnosis?

mar 9 march medication madness

apr 13 identifying and eliminating seizure triggers

april 28 epilepsy walk 2012

may 11 individualized education program – parents focus group – adults

Jun 8 anxiety & depression in epilepsy

Jul 13 social connectedness

aug 10 latest in epilepsy research, an overview with dr. salazar

sept 14 navigating the epilepsy road map

oct 12 epilepsy diet and fitness

november is epilepsy awareness month

nov 9 talk with the doc resource fair

dec 8 holiday party

Contact Us

Tel | 714-916-0456 Fax | 714-916-0456

9114 Adams Ave, #288, Huntington Beach, CA 92646Website | www.EpilepsySupportNet.orgEmail | info@EpilepsySupportNet.org

Advisory Board

Dr. Mary ZupancDivision Chief, PSF Neurology Medical Director, CHOC & UCI Pediatric Epilepsy Program

Dr. Mona SazgarDirector of the UCI Irvine Comprehensive Epilepsy Program

Tracy J. Salazar, PhDPost-Doctoral Fellow, UCSD; Research Review Board, CURE; Professional Advisory Board, LGS Foundation

Dr. Richard KimMedical Director, Hoag Epilepsy Center, Co-founder Brain and Spine Surgeons of Orange County, Co-director of CHOC’s Epilepsy Center

Phyllis Larkin, PsyDIndividual and Family Psychotherapy, Private Practice

Board of Directors

Joan M. AshlockCo-Owner, Strokes Golf

Jill M. FosterCast Member, Disneyland Resort

Jennifer GuntherSnyder Langston

Tracy J. Salazar, PhD, Post-Doctoral Fellow, UCSD; Research Review Board, CURE; Professional Advisory Board, LGS Foundation

Wendy Crommelin-Tarvin

CEO, Mobile Kitchens USA

Staff

Jennifer GuntherExecutive Director

Janna L. Moore, MPADirector of Programs

Denise WadaDirector of Marketing

Temre MarshChildcare Coordinator

Jackie WilsonChildcare Provider

Phyllis Larkin, PsyDEmotional Support Group Facilitator

Jennifer Leath, PsyDTeen Club Facilitator

Volunteers

Jim & Joan M. AshlockAdult Educational Support Group Facilitators

Jill M. FosterOn-line Support Group for Parents and Mom’s Night Out Facilitator

GET TO KNOW US

We are Expecting ESNOC’s Teen Coordinator, Dr. Jennifer Leath and husband Chad Nimmo, are due to deliver their first child in July. Teen Club will continue during her two month maternity leave.

Corporate Sponsors

3rd year SponsorsThe Duemey Family Snyder Langston Golden Spoons

2nd Year Sponsors

CHOC Children Neuroscience Institute Strokes Reviva

1st Year SponsorsHoag Neurosciences Winthrop Couchot Collin’s Builders, Inc. LL’s Enterprise Stress Reduction Center, Inc. Coastal Home Health Services

CALENdAR

MISSION STATEMENT | Epilepsy Support Network of Orange County is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization committed to building a community of support to improve the lives of those affected by epilepsy through education, support, and advocacy.

continued from page one

our previous walk winners Savannah Salazar, Kaylyn Clemons, David Tarvin, Madison Weizoerick, Danielle Gunther and Brooke Dilliplaine.

All of our teams are winners of the Epilepsy Walk OC. So, Team Captains be sure to gather your members for a team photo. Joe Belanger will be donating his professional photography services to capture the memory.

The ticket booth will begin selling tickets at 10 am with booths opening at 10:15. There will be twenty-eight game and food booths this year, thanks to our many Wish List Spon-sors. Whether you flex at Muscle Man or relax at the Massage Therapy, you’ll want to put your bid in at the Silent Auction when you see the fantastic items received for this special day: Knotts Berry Farm Tickets, Angels Tickets, Golf Lessons, Jewelry and more...

Wish List Sponsors

The Rojo FamilyThe Dilliplaine FamilyThe Schlutz FamilyKaylyn Clemons & FamilySamantha Young & FamilyBest Wishes from the Cobb FamilyThe Rye GirlsThe Land FamilyThe Miles FamilyIn Support of KoaDr. Ruxanda Ghibu, DMDIn Support of Natalie PembletonDeacon’s Dino Dig, The Tarvin FamilyVitale Family Walgreens

Team Ticket Winners

Team Mareena, Team Kaylyn, Team Matthew,

Her Royal Madjesty, Team Ashlock, Savannah’s

Pajamas, Kayla’s Lady Bugs, The Dreamers,

Leslie, Team Tarvin, Team Danielle, Phoenix

and Sierra’s Seizure Busters... more to follow

ewoc 2012 is presented by Committee Members

Jim and Joan AshlockGeorgia DurstLori FormanJill FosterNorene GillLisa GordonJennifer GuntherDebbie HansenGregory & Jaclyn Johnson

Robin KishTemre MarshJanna MooreSue PerezTheresa StephensAlison SimontonDebbie SimontonWendy Tarvin

Everyone has their own way of coping with their past and vol-unteering for ESNOC is mine. After explain-ing to my doctor that I was having feelings of dejavu and brief lapses of awareness

she referred me to a therapist. I must be going crazy right? It went from there...“She is mentally stable, perhaps she needs an endocrinologist?” After a year with her trying to figure out what was going on with me my seizures were getting progressively worse and I finally collapsed. My husband took me to our local urgent care doctor who referred me to another endocrinologist. She said 7 words I will never forget...“So, when did you start having seizures?” It has been ten years since I have been properly diagnosed. Working hard with my neurologist over the years to find the right medications, and all that goes in-between, my seizures are under control. I am one of the few lucky ones. A decade ago I made a promise to help others with epilepsy. I’m now moving forward.

Gifts InkindMobile Kitchens USA SNR Graphics Joe Belanger Lundbeck All inclusions as of 3/30/2012

What’s Coming Up?May’s Support Group meetings - While the parents are focusing on their child’s educational goals, adults can make valuable contributions in our first ever focus group. We are asking important questions to help improve our services to our adult population. Make sure you participate in this conversation.

24/7 Online Support Group for Parents is at Yahoo Groups.com. Search OCEpilepsy

Special thanks to those members who have been carpooling others to ESNOC Support Group meetings. We appreciate your committment toward building a com-munity of support for those who might not, otherwise, be able to attend.

Volunteer cornerTheresa Stephens, specialty Public Relations

donations at work

Relief is one meeting away!

Phyllis Larkin, PsyD has been helping parents through the unique and challenging dynamics of an epilepsy diagnosis for over 9 years. She specializes in epilepsy and brings her passion to ESNOC’s Emotional Support Group for Parents. We provide a safe and encouraging environment, bringing together parents who are experiencing similar situations.

Knowing that you are not alone and being able to talk about problems in a safe environ-ment without fear of judgement can work wonders to improve a person’s outlook on life. Along with Dr. Larkin’s effective advice, you will find acceptance, understanding, com-passion, support and encouragement from group members. Just as importantly…no co-

payment, pre-authorization or bills. We offer this service in order to keep parents healthy as they care for their child with epilepsy. Parents develop effective skills and a greater confidence when facing:

• Emotions and Stress following an epilepsy diagnosis in their child• Parenting for a special needs child• Sibling Relationships• Spouse Relationships • Fatigue/Low energy levels• Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Please ask us about our On-line support group to keep in touch with the parents you meet in Dr. Larkin’s group.

NOTHING GREAT WAS EVER ACHIEVED WITHOUT ENTHUSIASM. - Ralph Waldo Emerson

Epilepsy Walk Orange County885 Junipero drive, costa mesa, ca www.epilepsywalkoc.kintera.org

Tax ID #27-0681680, a 501(c)(3) Federal Income Tax Exempt Organization

Janna Moore, Director of Programs presents Building a Healthy Brain to inform parents.

Jackie Metcalfe Wilson gets a great big smile from the kids at the Holiday Social craft table.

Our community of support enjoying the Holiday Social.

Teens enjoyed a Scavenger Hunt at the Holiday Social. They got to practice their social skills by interacting with everyone.