Epilepsy often results in people becoming very isolated. This is due to a number of factors including the fear of having a seizure in public and issues such as transport, as people with active seizures are unable to drive. For children, just the fact they may have to take medication in front of people stops them from staying overnight at a friend’s place or attending school camps.

Another major issue is the fear and uncertainty that surrounds epilepsy and may result in severely limited options for Carers to get a break. Many parents say to us that their family members may be happy to look after their other children but are not willing to take care of a child with epilepsy in case they have a seizure.

This often has major implications for Carers. Similarly it is often the Carers who feel uncomfortable having their children cared for by others as they are not confident that their seizures will be managed effectively. This can be the case for Carers caring for both children and adults with epilepsy.

This is where we find our camps are hugely beneficial. It is often the only place a parent will feel confident that their child’s epilepsy will be properly managed and the only opportunity they have to get a break. Some entire families attend the camp, as it is their only chance to have a holiday and have volunteer Carers and professional Epilepsy Association staff available to ease the burden that caring for a person with epilepsy can bring. Some of the Carers are of course young people caring for their parent with epilepsy and camp is a great opportunity for them to get support and have fun at the same time.

While the major focus of our camps is having fun, we also build in the opportunity for people to discuss issues that they face as well as providing opportunities to educate and inform the participants. One of the best outcomes, people tell us, is just the opportunity to spend time with other people who really understand.
Each year we get more and more people attending. Planning is done on a needs basis. There are a few students who attend who will need at least 3 carers , there are other children who require one on one care and some who require only general supervision.

All of our carers are screened and trained in epilepsy management and are all volunteers, except for the 3 Epilepsy Association staff who attend.

We expect that all attendees will leave camps feeling more self confident and less socially isolated.

The  Junior / Family Camp will be held from the 21st - 23rd January, 2011  at Camp Clayton, Ulverstone.

The Senior Camp will be held from the 25th - 27th March, 2011 at Camp Clayton, Ulverstone.

For more information and costs, or to obtain camp forms please contact your local Epilepsy Educator/Counsellor:

South: etas.s@bigpond.net.au
North: etas.n@bigpond.net.au
North West: etas.nw@bigpond.net.au