Letter from the EFI President
Not long ago I had the opportunity to interview Dr. Robert
Wechsler, the director of the Idaho Comprehensive Epilepsy Center
at St. Luke's in Boise. The discussion made me grateful that our
city and region now have epilepsy services for those patients whose
seizure conditions have not responded to medication. I learned a
great deal in an hour from our resident epileptologist about
treatment and how the center fuctions. I was especially pleased to
find out how important a strong local Epilepsy Foundation was to
him.
The Epilepsy Foundation of Idaho is soon to celebrate our 35th
year in operation and like many non-profits it has sometimes been a
struggle. Happily, financially and most importantly in serving the
public, 2005 was a year of improvement and growth. Thanks to our
committed staff, dedicated volunteers, generous sponsors and
donors we have some important milestones to celebrate. Our St.
Valentine's Day Massacre, Winning Kid's luncheon, Mud
Volleyball and D.L. Evans Bank Golf Tournament were all
successes.
We sponsored a regional Day of Hope conference, initiated a
new pilot project-the school nurse training program-in Eastern
Idaho and our staff and board participated in national programs.
Patricia McDaniel, our epilepsy services specialist, has also started
the first You Are Not Alone: Parenting Your Teen with Epilepsy
project in Idaho. We look forward to expanding these new services
in the new year.
We approach the new year with hope and excitement. We invite
one and all to join us in continuing the work of EFI. As always this
takes funds. We hope you will think of us and give generously.
-Alan Minskoff directs the journalism program
at Albertson College of Idaho.
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