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The Epilepsy Foundation of Minnesota Blog

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PaKong Lee – Balancing Cultural Traditions with Modern Science

- Thriving with Epilepsy

In addition to visits to a neurologist, PaKong’s family, who immigrated to the US in the 1990’s as refugees, held traditional Hmong values and beliefs when it came to Western medicine, treatment, and seizures.

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Kaya Koball – Finding the Right Treatment Plan

- Thriving with Epilepsy

*Always consult with your doctor before making any changes to your treatment plan or diet. There are many hidden elements to an epilepsy diagnosis. Those on the outside may think of seizures when they hear a friend or family member has epilepsy. But those close by know epilepsy is so

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Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

- Clinician's Corner

By: Tammy Sinkfield-Morey, DNP, RN, PHN, CRRN, EFMN Professional Advisory Board Member The Epilepsy Foundation of Minnesota (EFMN) committed to fully integrate the ideals of diversity, equity, and inclusion into its mission. This is a commitment to embrace standards of “fair treatment, access, opportunity, and advancement for all people, while

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Camp Oz – The Power of Friendship for Kids with Epilepsy

- Thriving with Epilepsy

Growing up with epilepsy is hard. It’s scary and isolating. Some know this first-hand, while others know it from raising a child with epilepsy. Parents and family members give much-needed support, but for kids with epilepsy, finding others who understand what they’re going through is important. This is the reason

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Josh Rahman – Being Part of Something Bigger

- Thriving with Epilepsy

Josh Rahman likes being part of things bigger than himself. He played football in high school and is now doing the same in college. He’s also working towards a degree in Criminal Justice so that he can help others, and has a drive to educate people about epilepsy and raise

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Olivia Devaraj – A Voice for the Epilepsy Community

- Thriving with Epilepsy

Olivia Devaraj’s path to advocating for the epilepsy community started before she attended the 2019 Epilepsy Advocacy Day at the Capitol. It even started before she officially reached out to the Epilepsy Foundation of Minnesota (EFMN). As a 7th grader, Olivia heard about an art therapy program that helped people

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Acute Repetitive Seizures (ARS) or Cluster Seizures

- Clinician's Corner

Cluster seizures are more likely to occur in patients who have more difficulty in controlling seizures, or refractory epilepsy, which is defined as having failed more than 2 seizure medications. Cluster seizures occur more often in patients with focal epilepsy but can occur in generalized epilepsy as well.

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9 year old boy outside holding Jason Gray music CD

Cody Semrow – Battling Epilepsy By Helping Others

- Thriving with Epilepsy

Cody Semrow is only nine years old, but his journey with epilepsy includes a misread MRI, multiple medication changes, unpredictable side effects, and, of course, seizures. However, it also includes a special friendship between Cody and his favorite musician, Jason Gray. This past summer the Semrow family organized a benefit

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Epilepsy In Seniors

- Research & Innovation

Epilepsy can be diagnosed at any point in someone’s life. There are currently more than 300,00 seniors with epilepsy in the US, and they’ve been identified as the population with the most rapid growth of epilepsy diagnoses. The most common provocations in seniors with epilepsy are stroke, degenerative disorders such

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Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Initiative

- Organization Updates

In the fall of 2017, Epilepsy Foundation of Minnesota (EFMN) staff and board of directors gathered in a conference room at the Amherst H. Wilder Foundation. Together, they put the finishing touches on a comprehensive 2018-2020 strategic plan which included a foundational pillar of connecting with more communities. Two years

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