It is the end of another busy year for EWCT and we can safely say that we are going from strength-to-strength as the regional epilepsy provider of choice. We work hard to serve the needs of our communities in all areas of the Waikato DHB, as a non-government funded charity, and we greatly appreciate your support.
Here are the many highlights from the latter part of 2018.
- We held our “Mid-winter dinner and Epilepsy Hero Award” in July and this year we presented the award to Antony Booker, our much valued webmaster and webpage designer. Antony was unable to attend the award ceremony but his parents were on hand to receive
his award.
- Maria Lowe, our epilepsy advisor, initiated a Parliamentary Petition in August-September and it was presented to parliament on 16 October by Hon. Tim Macindoe, EWCT’s patron, with over 500 signatures. The petition, supported strongly by Dr Matt Phillips of the Neurology Dept., Waikato Hospital, requested that a ketogenic dietitian and support programme be funded by the Waikato DHB to help those people living with intractable epilepsy in our region. A submission from EWCT in support of the petition was presented to the Health Committee (of Parliament) in November. Currently around 35% of people living with epilepsy have no seizure control using current anti-epileptic medications and we would like the ketogenic diet be made available to them. We received great support from around New Zealand and we are hoping for a positive outcome.
- November is our epilepsy awareness month, and this year we launched our ‘community postcard project”. This was a great initiative which was well received through our Facebook page. Please go to this link to see the postcards: https://ewct.org.nz/postcard-project/
- Our epilepsy poster, “Not all seizures look the same” became interactive. We are very proud to say that It is the only interactive epilepsy poster in the world.
- A group of eager EWCT members walked ‘Around-the-Bridges’ (Hamilton) in November. We invite you to join us next year for a fun-filled day.
- Maria Lowe, our epilepsy advisor, received a City of Hamilton civic award for “outstanding contribution to Hamilton with services to health and the community” on 14 December. This is indeed a great honour and recognition of the hard work and dedication Maria has shown to working with all people living directly and indirectly with epilepsy.
- We continued to hold bi-monthly socials in Hamilton, Tokoroa, Tauranga and Te Awamutu. We are hoping to expand our social groups next year.
- Many of our children were able to engage in end-of-year parties and shows.
Please feel welcome to attend any of our events. You are in safe hands!
In the meantime, please take care over this festive season and we look forward to seeing you all again next year.
Maria and Margaret will be on holiday from Monday 24th December 2018 until Friday 11th January (i.e. back on deck from Monday 14th January). If there is an emergency please phone 111.
EWCT is an independent epilepsy provider, not affiliated to either Epilepsy New Zealand or the Epilepsy Foundation. We wish to thank our funders for their generous support.
Merry Christmas and a happy New Year!
