Simulating Real Life:
Epilepsy A Battle Between Mind
and Body
Presentation By:
Paul D. Acquaro
Outline
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Identify Epilepsy
Discuss Two Particular Types
Introduce Person with the Disorder
Hear from Family as to effects of Disorder
on family life
Hear from Co-workers as to effect on
professional life
Outline
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Discuss what to do for someone having a
seizure
Hear from people who have observed a
seizure
Discuss effects of treatments
Assistive Technology
Questions and Answers
Getting Started
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“Seizures are episodes of disturbed brain
function that cause changes in attention
and/or behavior. They are caused by
abnormal electrical excitation in the brain”
(http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/
article/000694.htm).
What is Epilepsy?
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Epilepsy is a disorder in which a person
experience seizures or episodes of abnormal
brain function that occur on a regular basis.
There are five types of seizures:
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Tonic-Clonic Seizures
Tonic Seizures
Absence Seizures
Complex Seizures
Simple Partial Seizures
Experiencing Two Types
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Tonic Clonic: also known as grand mal
seizures these seizures often are
characterized by loss of consciousness,
bladder control, twitching of muscles and
brief periods of confusion.
Absence Seizures: also known as petit mal
seizures these seizures are characterized by
loss of consciousness, apparent day
dreaming, and flushness in complexion.
Case Study
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Paul D. Acquaro
32 years old, married for
seven years
Father of a 3 week old
baby
Retired Naval Officer
Cause of seizure disorder
is believed to be from
Brain Tumors and
subsequent surgeries in
February 2001 and May
2003.
Interviews with Case Study and Wife
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A brief interview from me explaining
• The types of seizures
• How seizures have effected my life
• What to do if you witness seizure
• Video Clip 7
Interviews with Wife
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My loving, supportive and understanding
wife:
• Stacey Munsky Acquaro
• Video clips 3 and 4
Interviews at Work
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Dean of Students
• Jane Owen
• Video Clip 1 part 1
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Director of Student Life
• Rachael Lerner
• Video Clip 1 part 2
How can you help?
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Be mindful of the student’s warning signs
and auras.
Support the student’s use of a proper
identification regarding their disorder (id
bracelets).
Encourage the student or the student parents
to visit the class and talk about the disorder.
How can you help?
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On the onset make the student comfortable
such as a pillow under the head, loosening
tight clothing or removing sharp objects
from area around the student.
Do not place anything in or near the
students mouth.
During the seizure keep other students calm.
During the seizure make room for the
student.
How can you help?
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Send a student to get the school nurse.
Pay attention and note any attributes of the
seizure so that the student may provide
documentation to their doctor.
Interviews with Witnesses
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Associate Director of Student Life
• David Owyero
• Video Clip 4, 5 and 8
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Student Assistant and Friend
• Robert Greco
• Video Clip 9
What a person with seizures can do
as a precaution.
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There are countless numbers of medications
for epilepsy. The student’s doctor will work
with the student to come up with the best
medication.
• Some medications are: Nueronton, trileptal,
depakote, pamalor, topamax, elival, etc.
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It is important to understand however a side
effect of all seizure disorder medication is
lethargy.
Assistive Technology
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One relatively new option is the
implantation of a vagus nerve stimulator
which is used to assist in the stimulation of
the brain in cases where medication has not
provided satisfactory control of the seizures.
Assistive Technology
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The VNS Therapy System delivers VNS Therapy
in two ways.
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First, a doctor programs a 24-hour a day, 7-day a
week "dose" of periodic stimulation.
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“The second way VNS Therapy is delivered is
when a patient, a family member or a caregiver
senses a seizure coming on and passes the magnet
over the area in the chest where the generator is
implanted to activate an extra, on-demand
stimulation” (VNS Therapy, 2005).
Conclusion
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Some friends and family have at times used my disorder as
the brunt of jokes and cause for hostility, but I have come
to deal with it.
At times my situation is frustrating not only because of I
sometimes feel weakened in my abilities but also because I
feel as though I am a burden on others. This is because of
my not being able to drive, hold the baby at times and in
situations when I wake up to find I might have
embarrassed myself.
I have learned that the smile on my child’s face is all I need
to have to feel better.
Helpful Links
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www.epilepsyfoundation.org/longisla
nd/
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/a
rticle/000694.htm
http://www.tiresias.org/guidelines/seizure_d
isorders.htm
http://www.vnstherapy.com
Resources
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Medline Plus Medical Encyclopedia. (n.d.).
Retrieved March 13, 2006 from
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/a
rticle/000694.htm.
VNS Therapy Patient Essentials. (2005).
Cyberonics, INC. Houston, Texas.
Questions & Comments