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Information for Sinemet Users

There  have been some recent announcements regarding Sinemet that our Parkinson's clients should be aware of.  Please read about those changes here as well as about Merck Canada's Sinemet Patient Assistance Program.

 

Save the Date!

Our biennial conference on Parkinson's will take place on Saturday, April 14th and will feature J. Eric Ahlskog, Ph.D., M.D., Professor of Neurology at the Mayo Clinic, and Dr Matthew Farrer, Canada Excellence Research Chair in Neirogentics and Translational Neuroscience at the University of British Columbia. Watch for information in the new year!


VEPC Seeks New Board Members

Are you someone with epilepsy or Parkinson’s?  Are you a friend or family member of someone with epilepsy or Parkinson’s?  Do you have skills that could contribute to a nonprofit Board?


The Victoria Epilepsy and Parkinson’s Centre (VEPC) is a vibrant and welcoming non-profit society whose purpose is to strengthen clients’, families’ and communities’ ability to manage the physical, psychological and social effects of Parkinson’s and epilepsy.  VEPC is managed by a volunteer Board of Directors made up of people living with epilepsy or Parkinson’s and professionals with an interest in the two disorders.  Board members are appointed for an initial one-year term followed by two-year terms.  Each Board member is expected to serve on at least one Board committee.  The Board of Directors provides overall direction for the organization and is responsible for ensuring VEPC’s programmatic and fiscal health and accountability. 


VEPC is currently seeking new Board members.  We are particularly interested in individuals with backgrounds in finance, fundraising, and public relations.  We are seeking people with strong ties to the local community and an interest in epilepsy and/or Parkinson’s.  Board members are typically selected by the current Board of Directors and approved by the General Membership at VEPC’s Annual General Meeting.
If you have knowledge and experience that will assist VEPC as it grows to meet the needs of growing populations of individuals with epilepsy and Parkinson’s in the Victoria Capital Regional District, we encourage you to apply to join VEPC’s Board of Directors by contacting us to request an application. 


You can reach VEPC at (250) 475-6677, help@vepc.bc.ca, or visit our website at www.vepc.bc.ca
 

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Get Ready for Purple Day
 
 
 
Purple Day for Epilepsy (Purple Day) is held each year on March 26 and this year on March 24th you can join in and help with Victoria's first annual Plane Pull for Epilepsy. This one day event - the Viscount Air Plane Pull for Epilepsy - will see teams gather together to raise pledges in support of the Victoria Epilepsy and Parkinson's Centre Society (VEPC) and join in a fun and engaging day of competition and camaraderie at the Viscount Aero Centre, located near Victoria's International Airport.

 

Be a part of the fun of this first time event that will capture the attention, minds and hearts of the community and pull together for a great cause!  See the website at www.victoriaplanepull.ca.

 

 

 

Class Action on Neurontin

Individuals with epilepsy who have taken Neurontin, should be aware of a Class Action law suit currently underway.  Please read more here.

 

Our Staff

Catriona Johnson- Executive Director
Maureen Matthew - Parkinson Program Coordinator
Jennifer Morgan - Epilepsy Program Coordinator
Lissa Zala - Coordinator of Education Services
Lindsay Beal - Parkinson's Outreach Assistant
Della Truitt - Office Manager
 

Catriona Johnson - Executive Director
Catriona joined VEPC in 2009 after spending 18 years working in nonprofit management and government in the United States.  Most recently, Catriona served as the Assistant Director for State and Federal Relations with the Maryland Developmental Disabilities Administration.  She previously worked with the National Disability Rights Network, the Maryland Developmental Disabilities Council, The Arc of Maryland, and The Empower Program.  In 2005, she was named a Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr. Fellow and worked for a year with the United States Finance Committee on health and disability policy.  She has served on a number of nonprofit Boards including The Parents’ Place of Maryland, Baltimore Healthcare Access, and the Howard County Autism Society.  Catriona holds a Master of Science degree in Special Education from Johns Hopkins University. Catriona is available by phone at 250-475-6677 or by email.

Maureen Matthew - Parkinson Program Coordinator
Maureen has worked in this role at the VEPC since 1989. She has a Bachelor of Social Work degree with a specialty in geriatrics. Her background includes experience working in a variety of health-related settings including long term care facilities, hospitals and home support agencies.  As coordinator, Maureen provides information and counselling support to people with Parkinson's and their families. She coordinates all Parkinson's programs in the Capital Regional District, and conducts in-service workshops in the community to educate health care personnel about Parkinson's. Maureen's role also involves recruitment and support of over fifty volunteers who provide a wide range of services to clients and the agency. Maureen is available by phone or appointment by contacting the agency at 250-475-6677 or via email.

Jennifer Morgan- Epilepsy Program Coordinator
Jennifer Morgan is the newest member of the VEPC staff; she is one of the Epilepsy Program Coordinators (with Isa Milman until December 31st). Jennifer earned her honour’s B.A. in psychology from UBC Okanagan in 2006 and is currently working toward her M.A. in Educational Psychology with a focus on special education. Jennifer has been involved the Tools for Success program as a tutor and as the coordinator. She has a background teaching and assessing young students with Autism Spectrum Disorder as well as students with learning difficulties. At the VEPC, Jennifer is responsible for all aspects of the epilepsy program; she provides counselling and support services, offers inservice educational programs to community groups by request, and administers the VEPC scholarships. Jennifer is also interested in creating new programs for members and welcomes any input. She can be reached at the centre by phone at 250-475-6677 or by e-mail.

Lissa Zala - Coordinator of Education Services
Lissa joined VEPC in 2008 with an extensive background in education and health, most recently as program coordinator for the national Health and Learning Knowledge Centre, a project funded through the Canadian Council on Learning. Lissa has taught at Camosun College and was a teaching assistant at Royal Roads University. She has also worked for the Vancouver Island Health Authority.  Lissa shares her time between the epilepsy and Parkinson's programs. She is involved in planning, implementing and evaluating various educational program initiatives, and she conducts in-service workshops in the community and to educate health care personnel about Parkinson's and epilepsy. She is available by contacting the agency at 475-6677 or via email.

Lindsay Beal - Parkinson's Outreach Assistant
For over 25 years, Lindsay has been creating, coordinating and leading programs for individuals ranging from toddlers to seniors and who may have identified with being bright, ill, gifted, or injured. She has worked in settings ranging from prisons and schools, to homes and non-profit societies. Lindsay employs the creative process to foster rehabilitation and maintenance of well being in others. She has worked in the areas of acquired brain injury, developmental disability and mental health, focusing on recreation, personal empowerment, and creative expression in writing, dance and visual art. New to VEPC and in this newly created position, Lindsay coordinates the Parkinson’s Exercise Programs and provides outreach support to individuals with Parkinson’s. Lindsay can be reached by calling 250-475-6677 or by email.

Della Truitt - Office Manager
Della has been the Office Manager for the Victoria Epilepsy and Parkinson's Centre since 1989. She enjoys the relationships she has with clients and co-workers. As well as her busy secretarial duties (typing those quarterly newsletters) she does the agency bookkeeping, and answers your phone calls. Send Della an email.

 

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