TRISTAN THOMPSON: EPILEPSY AMBASSADOR
If epilepsy touches your family its devastating impact can last the rest of your life.
When NBA Basketball player Tristan Thompson decided to give back to his hometown, he wanted to support a cause that had touched him and his family. Thompson’s younger brother Amari has epilepsy, so Thompson joined with Epilepsy Toronto to create the Amari Thompson Fund to help support other families facing the challenges of epilepsy.
“My little brother Amari had his first seizure just after he was born and soon he was diagnosed with epilepsy. Amari’s seizures can strike at anytime and he will have them for the rest of his life. He has to be on a special diet, take multiple medications and endure side-effects. It has had a big impact on Amari and my whole family,” said Thompson.
Amari is the motivational force in Thompson’s life. “When it’s six in the morning and I don’t want to get up and work out, I think of how strong Amari is to keep going despite his challenges and that motivates me. He pushes me beyond my limits. My success on the court has meant Amari gets the support he needs and his seizures today are mostly under control.” Thompson knows that every family living with epilepsy needs support and that’s why he has partnered with Epilepsy Toronto.
“It made so much sense to me to partner with Epilepsy Toronto and start the Amari Thompson Fund. It is my chance to help other families impacted by epilepsy,” said Thompson. He hopes that his commitment and dedication will inspire others to get involved and support families living with epilepsy. Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological disorders, affecting 1 in 100 Canadians including 40,000 people in the Toronto area and 300,000 people across Canada. It can affect anyone at any age but children are the most common group suffering from epilepsy with 80% of people being diagnosed before the age of 18. Epilepsy is more common than multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy and Parkinson’s disease combined. Despite its prevalence, epilepsy is often misunderstood and people with epilepsy face social stigma, discrimination and unfair barrier. The Amari Thompson Fund supports services to families and individuals to help them manage the challenges of epilepsy and live life to the fullest.
You can contribute to the Amari Thompson Fund and Epilepsy Toronto by visiting www. epilepsytoronto.org