Nine-year-old initiative starts global movement
Aday that started through the efforts and campaign of a Canadian girl who suffers from epilepsy is being recognised here too.
International Purple Day was celebrated at the Colonial War Memorial (CWM) Hospital in Suva, on Friday.
The day was created to bring awareness about the neurological disorder.
CWM Hospital consultant physician Dr Shrish Acharya told of how Cassidy Megan then nine-years-old started the campaign in 2008.
“Cassidy suffered from epilepsy so, she decided to share her struggles with other people,” she said.
“This initiative then started and now Purple Day is celebrated internationally.
“Purple Day is basically to create awareness in communities and societies on epilepsy and also to inform people living with epilepsy that we are here for them, they are not alone.”
Dr Acharya said the event which is celebrated on March 26 annually should serve as a reminder to people to appreciate and be considerate to those who have epilepsy.
“They should be treated like any other normal person in our society. Epilepsy can happen to anybody and at any age.
“At the moment there are so many people who do not want to speak about epilepsy,” he said.
Dr Acharya said he had patients who were suffering from epilepsy who did not want to go to school or social functions.
“Therefore, parents go through hard time living with the child who has epilepsy and there are issue of marriage. “There is huge stigma and discrimination associated with epilepsy. “Some people need to change their mindset and talk about epilepsy and we are here to support them.” And just to prove that we are making the effort in spreading and creating awareness, Dr Acharya said a new organisation was created to serve this purpose.
Epilepsy Fiji, is a Non-Government Organisation (NGO) and was launched on February 13.