"Purple Day" - International Epilepsy Day (Epilepsy Awareness Day, Purple Day)

International Epilepsy Day or “Purple Day” is an important date for people suffering from this serious illness. The holiday is celebrated at the beginning of spring - March 26. Drawing the attention of people around to the problem and providing support to the sick became possible thanks to a Canadian child. In 2008, 9-year-old Cassidy Megan, who herself suffered from an illness, came up with a holiday called “Purple Day”. With this, the girl wanted to tell her family and friends that she was no different from other children. For the child, this was a cry from the heart and an opportunity to tell the whole world that she was not crazy, like other people suffering from a neurological illness. The child's initiative was supported by the Epilepsy Association in Nova Scotia, and after a while by other international organizations. At the same time, the idea was supported by thousands of students, hundreds of public associations and political figures. The whole world heard about the desire of the little Canadian and since then, celebrating “Purple Day” has become an annual tradition in many countries. Concerts, fairs and auctions are organized to raise funds to help epileptics with congenital or acquired pathology. In addition to the charitable purpose, the holiday also has an informational purpose - lectures are given where they talk about the characteristics of the disease and how to provide the necessary first aid. Anyone can receive information about a chronic neurological disease such as epilepsy. A clear manifestation of the disease is unexpected attacks. An epileptic should not be confused with a crazy person, because the disease does not affect the psyche and intellect of the patient. “Purple Day” has such a name for a reason, because the color of lavender is a symbol of the holiday around the world. This cool shade has a beneficial effect on the nervous system and reduces anxiety. Thanks to Epilepsy Day, it was possible to raise people's awareness of the disease and dispel all sorts of myths. Epilepsy is not contagious and is not inherited (in most cases). The risk of transmission, of course, remains, but it is insignificant - no more than 8%. Epileptics may well be parents of healthy and beautiful children.