HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-247RESOLUTION NO. 02-247
A RESOLUTION PROCLAIMING THE
MONTH OF NOVEMBER, 2002, 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. 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.
5. With the administration of anticonvulsant drugs, two thirds (66.66%) of those afflicted
with Epilepsy are drug controlled. Lack of education about this disorder has contributed to age old
myths, superstitions and prejudices.
6. The stigma associated wit this disorder is sometimes worse than the disorder itself.
People who have Epilepsy make reliable and conscientious workers in job performance, productivity,
safety, cooperation and attendance.
7. Studies camed 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.
8. 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, 2002, 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 15t~ day of October, 2002.
ATTEST: BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIOi~,IERS
ST..LUCIE COUNTY, FLORIDA
APPROV'~D AS TO LEGAL FORM AND