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RESOLUTION NO. 04-295
A RESOLUTION PROCLAIMING THE
MONTH OF NOVEMBER, 2004, AS
"EPILEPSY AWARENESS MONTH" IN ST.
LUCIE COUNTY, FLORIDA
WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners of st. Lucie County,
Florida, has made the following determinations:
1. Epilepsy, also known as Seizure Disorder, has afflicted mankind
since the dawn of our species and has been recognized since the
earliest medical writings.
2. As long as 400 B.C., Hippocrates, the Father of Medicine,
repudiated ancient beliefs that Epilepsy was a visitation from the gods
and sacred or that it was a curse from the gods that people afflicted
with this disorder held prophetic powers. Hippocrates believed that
Epilepsy was a brain disorder.
3. A seizure is a sudden brief attack of altered consciousness,
motor activity or sensory phenomena. It is a sign that certain brain cells
(neurons) are discharging an excessive amount of electrical impulses.
4. Epilepsy can be caused by injury to the brain, lack of oxygen
at birth, brain tumor, infection and brain hemorrhage. In sixty percent
of the cases, the cause is unknown.
5. Epilepsy can affect anyone, at any age and at any time. More
than two million Americans are afflicted with some type of Epilepsy. Of
this number, 150,000 are Florida residents.
6. With the Administration of anticonvulsant drugs, two thirds
(66.66%) of those afflicted with Epilepsy are drug controlled.
7. Lack of education about this disorder has contributed to age
old myths, superstitions and prejudices.
8. The stigma associated with this disorder is sometimes worse
than the disorder itself.
9. People who have Epilepsy make reliable and conscientious
workers in job performance, productivity, safety, cooperation and
attendance.
10. Studies carried out in the United States over the past thirty years
have indicated that of all disabilities, Epilepsy poses the greatest barrier
to employment with unemployment rates estimated to fall between
twenty and twenty-five percent.
11. Epilepsy should not be a barrier to success. In addition to the
normal requirements for success, a person who has Epilepsy needs a
.
.
supportive environment and employers who are willing to give
them an opportunity to become productive citizens.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of County
Commissioners of St. Lucie County, Florida:
1. This Board does hereby proclaim the month of November,
2004, as "EPILEPSY AWARENESS MONTH" in St. Lucie County, Florida.
2. The County Administrator is hereby directed to forward a
copy of this resolution to Mr. Jerry Pizza - Chairman, Committee for
Epilepsy Awareness, 6670 Royal Palm Blvd., Bldg. K., Apt. 302,
Margate, Florida 33063-2189.
PASSED AND DULY ADOPTED this 26th day of October, 2004.
ATTEST:
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
ST. LUCIE COUNTY, FLORIDA
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