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Out Of The Shadows

Make a Difference!

About Me


Please support Amy Lee's Out of the Shadows campaign by making a donation
Make A Difference by Taking A Stand! (click on the banner above).
About Epilepsy
Epilepsy is a neurological condition that makes people susceptible to seizures. A seizure is a change in sensation, awareness, or behavior brought about by a brief electrical disturbance in the brain.
Seizures vary from a momentary disruption of the senses, to short periods of unconsciousness or staring spells, to convulsions. Some people have just one type of seizure. Others have more than one type.
Although they look different, all seizures are caused by the same thing: a sudden change in how the cells of the brain send electrical signals to each other.
If you have epilepsy, you probably already know that it's not a mental disorder. It can be caused by anything that affects the brain, including tumors and strokes. Sometimes epilepsy is inherited. Often, no cause can be found.
Epilepsy is generally not the kind of condition that gets worse with time. Most adults who have it can expect to live a normal life span.
Doctors treat epilepsy primarily with seizure-preventing medicines. Although seizure medications are not a cure, they control seizures in the majority of people with epilepsy.
Surgery, diet (primarily in children), or electrical stimulation of the vagus nerve, a large nerve leading into the brain, may be options if medications fail to control seizures. Several drugs (called antiepileptic or anticonvulsant drugs) are prescribed to prevent seizures. Many factors are involved in choosing the right seizure drug. The goal of treatment is to stop seizures without side effects from the medicines.
If You Have Epilepsy
Epilepsy is what you have, not what you are. You are not an "epileptic." You are a person with epilepsy. Epilepsy is part of your life. It is not your whole life.
Other people may think that having epilepsy makes you different in some obvious way. But that's their mistake. Given the chance, you can probably live, work, and function in the world just as well as anyone else.
However, there are many areas of life in which having epilepsy can cause special difficulties. Knowing more about them may make it easier to cope.
If you have had epilepsy since childhood, you may be concerned about what it's going to mean to you as an adult. With the best of intentions, your parents may have protected you too well from the outside world. You may wonder now how you are going to make the change from being dependent on them to living on your own. Doing so may take some extra effort on your part.
If you have frequent seizures, you may feel you have to live at home. But there may be other living arrangements to help you live independently. To find out what's available in your area, contact your local Epilepsy Foundation.
If you have recently developed epilepsy, you may wonder how much your plans for the future will have to be changed. Perhaps no changes will be required. Or perhaps you will have to re-think some of your plans, at least until your treatment has had a chance to work and your seizure control becomes stable. (www.epilepsyfoundation.org)
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My Interests


Disclaimer:

I am not Amy Lee nor am I in contact with her. I am not affiliated with the Epilepsy Foundation, but have merely created this site to help Amy Lee in her quest of raising awareness about this condition that affects millions of people. So, please join us in our attempt to spread the word, for together we can make a difference!

~Amra aka Oceanic, Evboard


Click Here To Visit My Profile

I'd like to meet:

Amy is the singer and song writer for the rock group Evanescence, and the American Chair of the International "Out of the Shadows" campaign, a global effort to increase epilepsy awareness, eliminate stigma and end discrimination of those with the condition.For more information on the campaign, please visit www.OutOfTheShadows.com

Music:

Would you like to know more about Amy Lee? Click on the picture to learn more!

Heroes:

Raise awareness of epilepsy and make a fashion statement! The bracelets are two-toned. One side is red and is printed with the Foundation's name and logo. The other side is blue and is printed with the words "Think Positive." The color blue symbolizes tranquility and represents the hope of people with epilepsy for a life free of stress and the burden of seizures. Red symbolizes change, life-giving power, and healing. It is the color of the Epilepsy Foundation flame and represents the Foundation's mission of working for change so that people with seizures are able to participate in all life experiences. This is the only bracelet being sold where all proceeds go directly to the Epilepsy Foundation and benefit people with epilepsy throughout the country. Please help us raise awareness of epilepsy. Buy some for your family, friends, co-workers, church members, classmates or anyone in your community. (www.epilepsyfoundation.org)

Be a Hero for Someone Special!

Join the Out of the Shadows Myspace group by clicking on the picture below!


First Aid for Epilepsy

In all types of seizures, the goal is to protect the person from harm until full awareness returns.


1. Keep Calm
Seizures may appear frightening to the onlooker. They usually last only a few minutes and generally do not require medical attention. Remember that the person having a seizure may be unaware of their actions and may or may not hear you.
2. Protect from further injury
If necessary, ease the person to the floor. Move any hard, sharp or hot objects well away. Protect the person's head and body from injury. Loosen any tight neckwear.
3. Do not restrain the person
If danger threatens, gently guide the person away. Agitation during seizure episodes is common. Trying to restrain or grabbing hold of someone having a seizure is likely to make the agitation worse and may trigger an instinctive aggressive response.
4. Do not insert anything in the mouth
The person is not going to swallow the tongue. Attempting to force open the mouth may break the teeth or cause other oral injuries.
5. Roll the person on their side after the seizure subsides
This enables saliva to flow from the mouth, helping to ensure an open air passage. If there is vomit, keep the person on their side and clear out their mouth with your finger.
6. If a seizure lasts longer than 5 minutes, or repeats without full recovery ~ SEEK MEDICAL ASSISTANCE IMMEDIATELY
Although this rarely occurs, status epilepticus is life-threatening. It is a serious medical emergency.
7. Talk gently to the person
After any type of seizure, comfort and reassure the person to assist them in reorienting themselves. The person may need to rest or sleep. If the person wanders, stay with them and talk gently to them.

My Blog

Thank You!

I can't thank you guys enough for all the support, comments and effort you guys are putting into spreading the word! Please keep being part of OOTS and raising awareness! p.s. Evanescence's sophomore ...
Posted by Out Of The Shadows on Sat, 30 Sep 2006 04:34:00 PST

Regarding Comments

I believe that most of you know why I have created this profile and that's to spread awareness about Epilepsy via myspace. Therefore, if your comment does not relate to Out of the Shadows, Epilepsy an...
Posted by Out Of The Shadows on Wed, 30 Aug 2006 08:43:00 PST

Call Me When You're Sober

Amy has posted this message on Evboard:"Originally Posted by Snow Whitehey guys! im in an internet cafe/ tasti delight. I just got the call that since sober leaked they are going ahead and letting sta...
Posted by Out Of The Shadows on Mon, 31 Jul 2006 11:49:00 PST

Banner Codes

Due to the overwhelming amount of requests for the OOTS banners, I've finally put up the codes for everyone to take on their own. So, please copy/paste the code(s) for the banner(s) you want into your...
Posted by Out Of The Shadows on Mon, 24 Jul 2006 01:06:00 PST

Official OOTS Site is Back!

Go check out http://www.outoftheshadows.com because it's back! The clips are back as well and there appears to be a pic of Amy in the recording studio! Keep spreading the word guys, make a donation if...
Posted by Out Of The Shadows on Wed, 12 Jul 2006 12:31:00 PST

Evanescence Fans!

If you are an Evanescence fan, I suggest you add http://www.myspace.com/evboard to your friends list today! That way you will be able to stay on top of everything Evanescence related. So, here is a qu...
Posted by Out Of The Shadows on Tue, 11 Jul 2006 02:12:00 PST

"The Open Door"

Since it's been said that the new Evanescence cd will somehow relate to the Out of the Shadows campaign, I thought that some of you would like to read this. I'm sure most of you already have, but just...
Posted by Out Of The Shadows on Tue, 09 May 2006 04:40:00 PST

Specter-Harkin Budget Amendment passed!

Grassroots Effort Helps Crucial Budget Amendment Passage in the Senate!Today, following a massive grassroots effort, the Specter-Harkin Budget Amendment passed in the Senate, by an overwhelming v...
Posted by Out Of The Shadows on Sat, 18 Mar 2006 01:45:00 PST

Please help!

 An Evboard (Evanescence Message Board) member, [Illustr8tiv], has come up with an amazing idea on how to spread the word even more about the OOTS Campaign. Here's what you can do!Go to your favo...
Posted by Out Of The Shadows on Wed, 15 Mar 2006 03:15:00 PST

Recognizing You Guys!

There are so many of you who are doing so much to spread the word, and I feel like the least I can do is make sure that you are recognized for it. So, what did I come up with? How about posting your p...
Posted by Out Of The Shadows on Sat, 11 Mar 2006 09:15:00 PST