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65 MILLION PEOPLE AROUND THE WORLD LIVE WITH EPILEPSY
Epilepsy Quick Facts (U.S.A.) Epilepsy is a neurological disorder that afflicts some 3.4 million individuals in the United States. One in ten Americans will experience a seizure, one in 26 will develop epilepsy. Epilepsy is the 4th most common Neurological Disorder after Migraine, Stroke and Alzheimer’s disease. Someone with Epilepsy dies every 6 minutes. About 50,000 die a year. There is no known cause in 67% of the patients diagnosed with epilepsy. 400,000 Americans have uncontrolled Epilepsy.
The leading non-medical problem confronting people with epilepsy is discrimination in education, employment and social acceptance.
ABOUT THE FILM
This unique short film was created by a world class group of extremely talented individuals from Animation and Character Design Studios in Spain, France, Japan, and the US. The music was provided by a highly talented and esteemed musician from the San Francisco Bay area. Their individual names are listed in the credits section.
In tour and one-half minutes you will see epilepsy in a new light. This one of a kind short film simulates a seizure in an animated, artistic and compassionate manner. It is suitable for people of all ages. It portrays the courage and hope of a little girl that in spite of her illness never gives up and keeps going. She jumps over all obstacles in her way to reach her goal. You will also hear firsthand from her parents about the difficulties that she faced. This wonderful piece of art offers hope for all afflicted..
To view: GO to http://www.ninascourage.org or Search for “Nina the Little Bulldozer” online.
All artists worked gratuitously to bring Nina’s story to life. It was done in the hope that this devastating neurological disease might be better understood and accepted by the public as have so many other terrible and terminal ailments.
“Our involvement in Epilepsy is because of our daughter, Dr. Alfonsina (Nina) Q. Davies who was born with the disorder”, explains Nadia Davies, Nina’s mother. “She had a type of seizure within the first hour of her birth. She lived 52 years with the disorder, and in spite of it, and two brain surgeries, she graduated from college at 20, had a PhD when she was 26, and worked her way up to be assistant superintendent of one of the largest school districts in California.”
Administrators are not protected by unions, and work on the basis of contracts. When her contract expired her job disappeared. She applied for a number of positions and was always the first choice. The district’s next step was to call the former superintendent for a personal (by telephone) recommendation. For a variety of excuses, districts would tell her that she did not get the job, after her previous superintendent would inform the caller that Dr. Davies had epilepsy.
She then moved to Hawaii where she worked for about 7 years as an administrator, and ultimately moved back to California where she taught Special Education (by choice) in a high school in San Diego County until she passed in April of 2011. Now you have glimpse of her story.
The full story is on Amazon titled “Nina’s Courage in Epilepsy”.
All of the materials are copyrighted and wholly owned by the Dr. Alfonsina Q. Davies Epilepsy Foundation. (http://www.ninascourage.org)
Release ID: 418721