Epilepsy Action, the UK’s largest member-led epilepsy organisation, is celebrating a photo exhibition and a volunteer award at the BVSC during National Epilepsy Week. The aim is to raise awareness of epilepsy and show that there is more to people with epilepsy than the condition itself.
The celebration will take place on Thursday 24 May 2012 at BVSC, 138 Digbeth, Birmingham, from 6.30pm to 8.30pm. It’s free and open to all.
The exhibition, titled “I am more than epilepsy”, was created Tom Robinson, from Solihull. Tom wanted to show that epilepsy doesn’t have to stop someone from living a full and active life. It will be available to view for several weeks.
Julie Clark, central England manager for Epilepsy Action, said: “This exhibition has been a real success: it’s so moving. Tom’s photos are excellent. They are such intimate portraits of the lives of local people with epilepsy. The people also tell their stories to show that they are much more than their epilepsy. So far, the exhibition has been viewed in Manchester, and Birmingham where the photographer, Tom Robinson, who has epilepsy, is based.
“Tom took all the photographs included in the exhibition. He has portrayed a variety of people of different ages, from different social backgrounds, with different interests. We would like to say a huge thank you to the BVSC for their support.
“We will also be presenting one of our awards to the secretary of our Solihull Branch, Laura Robinson, Tom’s sister, to recognise her outstanding dedication to raising awareness of epilepsy.
It will be presented by John Bostock, from Epilepsy Action’s council of management.”
Epilepsy is often very misunderstood. This can cause social and employment issues. There are over 40 different types of seizures. What one person with epilepsy will experience, others may not. Epilepsy can happen to anyone at any time from any walk of life.
Tom said: “The exhibition was created to illustrate some of the areas in which change is still needed. By improving understanding of epilepsy, we hope to reduce needless fear of the condition and combat the stigma that is sadly sometimes still associated with it.
“In completing this exhibition, we made every effort to ensure that it was as representative as possible of all individuals with epilepsy. We are very grateful to all participants who spared their time to talk to us, let us take their photo and shared details of their lives and experiences with us. If you feel that your story may be able to add a new dimension to the project, we would be eager to hear from you.”
On Saturday 19 May a new monthly support and social group will launch at the Edwardian Café, Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, Chamberlain Square, Birmingham from 2-4pm. The following meetings will take place on the third Saturday of the month. A further support and social group will be set up in Solihull.
For more information about the exhibition, or the social groups, please contact Julie Clark on 01684 577 554 (mobile: 07770 837 970) or email jclark@epilepsy.org.uk
For further information about the work of Epilepsy Action, please visit www.epilepsy.org.uk or call the Epilepsy Helpline freephone 0808 800 5050.