National Epilepsy Awareness Month

WHEREAS, epilepsy is a neurological condition characterized by recurrent unprovoked seizures; and

WHEREAS, epilepsy is the fourth most common neurological disorder worldwide, affecting children, teens and adults; and

WHEREAS, epilepsy is the most common neurological disorder in childhood; and

WHEREAS, 10 to 30 percent of people with the disorder do not respond to available therapies; and

WHEREAS, epilepsy affects 25,000 to 80,000 Alabamians and 2-3 million Americans; and

WHEREAS, approximately 150,000 to 300,000 new cases of seizures and epilepsy are diagnosed each year; and

WHEREAS, the Epilepsy Foundation of Alabama promotes educational programs to educate families and the Central Alabama Epilepsy Support Group strives to provide emotional and educational assistance to families affected by epilepsy in our state:

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Robert Bentley, Governor of Alabama, do hereby proclaim November 2014, as

National Epilepsy Awareness Month

in the state of Alabama, and urge health care professionals, school officials, state official, youth organizations and community groups to unite in our state’s commitment to fight epilepsy.