Click on our Calendar above for upcoming events!
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
Follow Us On Twitter!
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.
CBT for Adults
Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) for Adults with Epilepsy
This group is now offered under the auspices of the Victoria General Hospital outpatient neurorehabilitation department. If you are interested in participating in this group, you need to ask your family doctor for a referral to "Dr. Claire Sira" at the Victoria General Hospital. The physician should state clearly that their patient would like to be included in the "Moving Forward Group" that is held on Fridays at 1:00pm and that you were referred from the Victoria Epilepsy & Parkinson's Centre. The note can be faxed to 250-727-4075. The department phone number is 250-727-4090.
The series runs for six weeks, and is scheduled on an ongoing basis throughout the year.
Moving Forward Group
-
Facilitator: Dr. Claire Sira, Registered Psychologist
The six sessions of this group build on the information provided, and are designed to be taken in the order listed. If you miss more than one session, you may want rejoin the group the next time it is offered (usually the following month) in order to get the most benefit.
-
Session 1: Introduction
-
Session 2: The Anxiety Response
-
Session 3: The Triangle and Thinking About Thinking
-
Session 4: Overcoming Negative Thinking
-
Session 5: The Role of Your Social Life
-
Session 6: Assertive Communication
This program is funded in part by a grant from the United Way of Greater Victoria.
