Hundreds participate in event for epilepsy

By Sean Barron

AUSTINTOWN — If you found yourself at the Cracker Barrel restaurant Saturday, you probably noticed dozens of people sitting in white rocking chairs and casually socializing.

A closer inspection, however, would have revealed more than a series of Norman Rockwell moments.

They came for a definitive purpose: to participate in Saturday’s fifth annual “Rocking for Epilepsy Awareness and Support” event at the restaurant and store just off Interstate 80 and state Route 46.

The eight-hour fundraiser was dedicated to the memory of 20-month-old Blair Yerkey, who died Oct. 7, 2005, from the condition. Many participants wore light blue T-shirts emblazoned with “Rocking for Blair” to honor him, and most sat with a picture of Blair next to them.

People of all ages reserved chairs for up to one hour, then made room for the next set of participants, to accommodate the estimated 500 to 600 attendees.

For some, such as Jerry King, the event was quite personal.

King, a member of the Youngstown-based Outspokin’ Wheelmen bicycle club, has lived with recurring seizures for 14 years. He suffered a head injury that resulted from an industrial accident.

“I try not to let it run my life,” King said, adding that he gets around via bicycle, in part because he’s unable to drive.

It’s important for people who suffer such seizures to realize they have nothing to be ashamed of, he explained. Medication “controls 99 percent” of his condition, allowing for as normal a life as possible, King added.

“You can’t let that one bad day ruin things,” he added.

King advised people with epileptic seizures to conduct their own research and not be afraid to question their doctor.

Sitting next to King was fellow club member David Hughes of Salem, who wanted to show his support.

At a recent Outspokin’ Wheelmen meeting, members of the 35-year-old club were asked to volunteer at the event, he recalled.

A primary purpose of the fundraiser was to educate people attending someone experiencing a seizure on how to handle such situations, noted Janet Mau, executive director of Mahoning Valley Epilepsy Fund Inc.

For example, a person who suffers a seizure without convulsions might wander aimlessly and exhibit unusual behaviors. It’s important to not stop such a person from wandering, unless there’s danger, Mau pointed out.

In addition, she continued, the kitchen and bathroom are the most dangerous places to have a seizure, partly because of the number of objects that could cause injury to the person.

Mau said that last year’s event raised more than $10,000, though no financial goal had been set for this year.

Blair’s father, Dr. Matthew Yerkey, a Salem dentist, recalled that a funeral director told him about the epilepsy foundation, leading to his meeting Mau. From there, he decided to get involved in epilepsy awareness in remembrance of his son, he said.

People should not fear someone with the condition, in part because most with seizures lead “pretty normal lives,” Yerkey said.

After the event, the Yerkeys had a picnic at their Salem home to thank supporters, said Yerkey’s wife, Wanda, as she held a picture of Blair taken during a family vacation in Hilton Head Island, S.C.

The Rocking for Epilepsy event also featured raffles, face-painting, live entertainment that included a calliope concert, dulcimer music and bluegrass band, and a cherry pie-baking contest.

A panel gave the pies up to 45 points for appearance, taste and texture. They were then sold to the highest bidders.

EPILEPSY

Some dos and don’ts

Witnessing someone have a seizure can be unsettling, though less frightening if certain precautions and actions are taken. Some tips:

For a seizure with convulsions:

Roll the person to the side to prevent choking in case of vomiting.

Cushion the person’s head and loosen tight clothing around the neck.

Keep the airway open to allow breathing and, if necessary, gently grip the jaw and tilt the head back.

Avoid restricting the person’s movement unless there’s danger, and never place anything into the mouth. Doing so can cause choking, as well as damage to the tongue, jaw and teeth. (The widespread belief that a person could swallow his tongue is a myth.)

Remove any sharp or solid objects that the person can strike during the seizure.

Note the length and symptoms to relay to emergency personnel or a doctor if needed.

Stay with the person until the seizure ceases.

For a seizure without convulsions:

Remove any dangerous objects.

Refrain from stopping a person who may wander aimlessly, unless danger is present.

Don’t shout at or shake the person.

Stay until the person is alert.

Call 911 if the seizure lasts more than five minutes, or if the person is pregnant, has diabetes or is in water. Other emergency situations are if the person is injured or fails to breathe again and return to consciousness.

Source: Epilepsy Advocate magazine