818 Burke Road Camberwell VIC 3124
phone (03) 9805 9111 fax (03) 9882 7159
web www.epinet.org.au abn 75 967 571 784
19 March 2013
Media Release
Epilepsy Awareness Month – March 2013
Purple Day – International Day for Epilepsy – 26 March 2013
Lachlan Bischof-Foster – epilepsy doesn’t stop him playing sport
Lachlan Bischof-foster is 14 years old and was diagnosed with epilepsy when he was 10. His
sister, Adelle, who is 20, also has epilepsy, and was 11 when she was diagnosed.
They both have occipital epilepsy, where the seizures occur in the area of the brain that affects
their vision. This means that during most of the seizures, they can’t see.
At first, parents Amanda and Mark thought the seizures were migraines as they ran in the family.
“But then we found out that Adelle had epilepsy that was occurring in the region of her brain that
controls vision, and so the seizures were affecting her vision. By the time Lachlan began
experiencing the same things we were a lot quicker at getting him diagnosed because we
already had an idea what the problem was,” mum, Amanda, says.
Initially Lachlan had brain scans so they could diagnose the epilepsy. They then saw a specialist
at the Royal Children’s Hospital, and went down the path of medication, which gave Lachlan
some control over seizures but not a lot. After even more brain scans they were referred to
another specialist who works with the ketogenic diet.
In 2010, Adelle and Lachlan went on the ketogenic diet, which is a high fat, low carbohydrate,
very precise diet that requires measuring and weighing foods to get the exact amounts of each.
The ketogenic diet is used because burning fat for energy produces ketones, which, in some
instances, in very high levels, can help reduce seizure activity.
“It is a very restrictive diet for a 12-year-old boy to be on,” says Amanda, “but for a while it
seemed to work and Lachlan’s seizures seemed to decrease. He was on it for one-and-a-half
years. But then his seizure activity increased again and we decided that the effort and restriction
of the diet wasn’t worth the change for Lachlan. He came off the diet in January 2012 and has
been seizure-free since the middle of the year.”
“Adelle is still having a seizure once every three months or so,” says Amanda. “We are still
trying to get the medication right, which takes time. Adelle is determined to get her driver’s
licence so she needs to have been seizure free for an extended period of time before the
specialist will give her the all clear to drive.”
While Lachlan is too young to worry about driving yet, he is still able to do other things, and
loves to play football and basketball.
“Usually one of [his parents] will be there when he’s playing football or basketball,” Amanda
says. “The footy team and basketball team are great in how they manage Lachlan’s seizures. At
basketball they tell the referee about it and he can just sit off while it’s happening. For footy he
wears a helmet, and they always make sure the runner and the first aid people know about it as
well.”
818 Burke Road Camberwell VIC 3124
phone (03) 9805 9111 fax (03) 9882 7159
web www.epinet.org.au abn 75 967 571 784
Amanda says they have had a lot of help and support from Lachlan’s school. “The teachers are
really understanding. We had a nurse from the Epilepsy Foundation come to the school and train
the teachers on how to deal with a seizure and learn more about epilepsy and the school nurse
is a key person in the management plan.”
People with epilepsy or their families can call the Epilepsy Foundation of Victoria for assistance
on 9805 9111 or the Epilepsy Helpline 1300 852 853 for the cost of a local call, or visit
www.epinet.org.au and support the “26 Days 26 Ways” campaign.
Ends
For further media information contact:
Julie Stephens, Stephens Public Relations
Tel:
0413 119 673
Additional notes:
Epilepsy Australia is encouraging individuals, community groups, schools and businesses across Australia, to show
their true colours and ‘Go Purple’ this Purple Day, 26 March 2012 – getting the nation talking about and understanding
epilepsy.
What is Purple Day?
Purple Day is a grassroots effort dedicated to increasing awareness about epilepsy worldwide. On Monday 26 March
people from around the globe are asked to wear purple and spread the word about epilepsy. Founded in 2008, by
then 9-year-old Cassidy Megan from Nova Scotia, Purple Day has achieved international recognition through the
internet, and in particular social networking. Since Purple Day exploded around the world, children, businesses,
organisations, politicians and celebrities have embraced Cassidy's simple message: wear purple and spread the
word about epilepsy!
What is epilepsy?
Epilepsy is a disorder of brain function that takes the form of recurring seizures. Our every thought, feeling or action is
controlled by brain cells that communicate with each other through regular electrical impulses. A seizure occurs when
sudden uncontrolled bursts of electrical activity disrupt this regular pattern. This can be confined to just one part of
the brain or can occur right across the brain. Communication between cells becomes scrambled and our thoughts,
feelings or movements become momentarily confused or uncontrolled.
Epilepsy is the most common serious brain disorder, and is perhaps one of the most universal of all medical disorders.
Widely misunderstood, epilepsy has been shown to lead to fear, secrecy, stigma and the risk of social and legal
penalties.
Epilepsy Foundation of Victoria
The Epilepsy Foundation of Victoria provides support for people living with epilepsy and their families, to help them
live better lives. The services include information, advice and support, epilepsy counselling and practical assistance,
as well as education and training, research and advocacy on behalf of people with epilepsy. The foundation works to
raise awareness of epilepsy in organisations and the broader community, to reduce the stigma and create a more
welcoming and inclusive society.