Epilepsy Awareness SA

08/10/2026

04/10/2026

13/09/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/19NkZycno6/?mibextid=wwXIfr

💜 A little reminder for today: You are more than your epilepsy.

Some days may feel harder than others, but your diagnosis does not take away from your strength, your dreams, or everything that makes you who you are.

Save these affirmations for the days you need a little extra encouragement, and come back to them whenever you need a reminder. 💜

29/08/2026

So this happened…

My whole life, I’ve struggled with gum issues. For years, I honestly thought it was something I had inherited because a few members of my family experienced similar problems.

I was also repeatedly told by doctors and dentists that it wasn’t my medication — that it was simply down to my oral hygiene habits. And honestly, I never really agreed with that explanation.

Last week, I went for a check-up with a new dentist, and my mind was blown.

She explained that Tegretol (carbamazepine) and some other anti-convulsant medications can cause gum enlargement/swelling, which can create deeper spaces around the gums where bacteria and plaque can become more difficult to clean.

Suddenly, so many things started to make sense.

What really floored me was hearing a dental professional acknowledge something my mom and I had suspected since I was a teenager — that there could be a connection between my epilepsy medication and the problems I was experiencing with my gums.

I’m not saying medication is the answer for everyone with gum problems, because there can be many causes. But I do think it’s important that we look at the whole picture when treating patients, including the medications they take and the conditions they live with.

It’s frustrating to think that I spent so many years believing this was simply a result of “poor habits,” when there may have been another factor worth considering.

Sometimes you just need the right healthcare professional to finally connect the dots. 🥹

Read more here:

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35589146/

21/08/2026

A Little Reminder for Women 💐

I may be a little late, but I didn’t want Women’s Day / Month to pass without saying this. ❤️

Women are so good at taking care of everyone else that we often forget about ourselves. We put everyone and everything first, and somewhere along the way, we end up at the bottom of the list.

So, for the rest of this month, I want to challenge you to put yourself first a little more. Spoil yourself. Do something simply because it makes you happy.

It doesn’t have to be extravagant. Maybe it’s a coffee with a friend, lunch with your family, a quiet coffee on your own, or finally going to that “expensive” restaurant you’ve always wanted to try. 😉

Buy the flowers. Take the day trip. Sit somewhere beautiful. Have the dessert. Book the massage. Wear the outfit you’ve been saving.

Whatever it is — give yourself permission to enjoy it without feeling guilty.

You deserve to be cared for too. You deserve to be celebrated too. And you certainly don’t need to wait until next Women’s Day. 🌸

Happy Women’s Month, ladies. Now go spoil yourselves. ❤✨ 💜

05/07/2026

Has this ever happened to you ? 💜

14/06/2026

🚫 MYTH: A person having a seizure can swallow their tongue.

✅ FACT: This is not true. It is physically impossible to swallow your tongue. During a seizure, the muscles may tighten, but the tongue cannot be swallowed.

⚠️ What NOT to do:
Do not put anything in the person’s mouth — this can cause injury.

💜 What TO do:
Gently turn them onto their side, keep them safe, and stay with them until the seizure passes.

World Health Organization (WHO)

06/06/2026

Epilepsy has no discrimination and often no single exact cause. It can affect anyone, regardless of age, gender, race, or background.

Some known causes of epilepsy include:
💜Genetic factors
💜Head injuries or trauma
💜Brain infections (like meningitis)
💜Stroke or lack of oxygen to the brain
💜Brain tumors
💜Developmental conditions
💜 in many cases, the cause is unknown

The truth is, anyone can experience epilepsy at some point in their lifetime 💜🫶

There is nothing “wrong” with you ❤️‍🩹
You are not broken
You are not defined by your condition.

You are not alone, and you are not a victim…
✨ You are a survivor ✨

30/05/2026

💜 Epilepsy Awareness: Memory & Brain Health 💜

Many people living with epilepsy experience challenges with memory. It is important to understand why.
Seizures, certain medications, stress, and disrupted sleep can all affect how the brain processes and recalls information.

Here are some ways to support and improve your memory:
• Keep a consistent daily routine
• Use a journal, reminders, planners, or phone alarms
• Get enough quality sleep
• Manage stress through relaxation techniques
• Stay mentally active: read, complete puzzles and learn new skills
• Maintain regular checkups with your doctors and / neurologist

Question : Does Vitamin B help?
Answer : Vitamin B (especially B6, B9/folate, and B12) plays an important role in brain function and nerve health. A deficiency can contribute to memory problems. However, supplementation should only be done under medical guidance, as needs vary from person to person — especially for those on seizure medication.

Important Disclaimer‼️
Before taking any advice from influencers or social media, please consult with a qualified healthcare professional. What works for one person may not be safe or suitable for another and especially when managing a condition like epilepsy.

💜 Let’s spread awareness, support one another, and encourage informed, safe care.

💜🫶

26/05/2026

💜 To every woman with epilepsy who has chosen, or is dreaming of, motherhood — this one is for you. 💜

Motherhood is already one of the greatest sacrifices a woman's body will ever make. But for women living with epilepsy, that journey carries an extra weight that most people never see.

Your baby's DNA will live in your brain forever — but before they even arrived, you made impossibly hard decisions about medication, risk, and protecting two lives at once.

Epilepsy can run through generations — grandmother, mother, daughter — a shared biology and a shared strength that connects women across time.

After birth, every new mom is already healing for months and years. Women with epilepsy are also managing sleep deprivation that triggers seizures, hormonal shifts that affect medication, and the quiet fear of holding their baby during a seizure.

They do all of this, and they still show up. Every. Single. Day.

💜 Be kind. Be patient. Be aware. The strength of a mother with epilepsy is extraordinary. It deserves to be seen. 💜

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