News from North Idaho

"Seizures and You: Take Charge of the Facts" is a national pilot program made possible by a grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It is an epilepsy awareness program for teens. Along with a lot of knowledge about epilepsy, students leave this 45-minute presentation with seizure first aid steps, bookmarks, and a mini CD. This is the third year that Kim Huender, EFI services specialist in Coeur d'Alene, is taking this important, informative program to the junior and senior high schools in north Idaho.

If you would like Ms. Huender to present this epilepsy awareness program to your students, call her at (208) 765-9443. There is no charge for the program, although donations to the Epilepsy Foundation of Idaho are always welcome.

North Idaho now has " CityLink", a free bus service in Coeur d'Alene, Post Falls, Hayden, Worley, and Plummer. This is a great service for our clients who cannot drive. For schedule and stop information, call 1-877-941-RIDE or visit the web site at www.idahocitylink.com.

Watch for the Epilepsy Foundation of Idaho Water Station at the Ironman Triathlon in Coeur d'Alene next June. There will be lots of energetic EFI volunteers dressed up as Elvis handing out water and sports bars to the athletes. Ironman donates $500 to the not-for-profit organizations that volunteer at the water stations. Thanks to Tonya Sears, North Idaho EFI board member, for setting up this sponsorship.

May 14, 2006 is Mother's Day Phantom Tea Party. This year EFI will be asking you to take a minute out of your busy schedule to sit, have a cup of tea, think of the Epilepsy Foundation of Idaho and how a donation could help others with epilepsy. This fund raiser will be in Coeur d'Alene. If you would like to help in any way, contact the North Idaho office (208) 765-9443.

Tonya Sears, North Idaho EFI board member, is going to be a new HOPE (Helping Other People With Epilepsy) mentor. After training in early 2006, Tonya will be available to present epilepsy educational presentations. Tonya's son, Jakob, meets many challenges related to his epilepsy. This gives Tonya an opportunity to educate others about epilepsy from a unique first-hand perspective. As she educates and informs, Tonya will also share the story of Jakob's struggles and successes, bringing real-life experiences into much needed and important education.