1- Feature Article: PURPLE DAY®: Read all about the most important, inspiring, influential (and fun) global day for epilepsy which is now on its 16th year!
2- December 2023 Epilepsy Star: For this issue, Debra Josephs is recognized as our Epilepsy Star for her amazing work as the head of the Anita Kaufman Foundation.
3- Epilepsy Survey results. We asked our readers, have you ever bitten your tongue during a seizure. Scroll down to see the responses.
4- Safety in epilepsy and seizures: Being a tourist when you have epilepsy (how to make sure to enjoy your trip to the fullest by traveling safely
5- Our epilepsy and seizures community of patients, family, friends and doctors has been busy.
6- Epilepsy on the move: Stay tuned for upcoming epilepsy and seizure disorder events and news in the second half of 2024.

For this issue, we are very pleased to have as or Epilepsy Star, the legendary Debbie Debra (Debbie) Josephs, director of the Anita Kaufman Foundation.  Her contributions to the epilepsy community span several decades and are so many that what you will read below is just a sampling of what she has done for epilepsy in her lifetime.  We recommend you check in regularly at the Anita Kaufman website (https://purpledayeveryday.org/) because it seems like every time you do, there is a new and wonderful new initiative or resource.  For all these reasons and more, Debbie Josephs is our March Epilepsy Star. We can’t think of anyone more deserving!

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Survey: For this issue, we asked our readers, have you ever bitten your tongue during a seizure. There were three responses to choose from: Yes, No, I didn’t even know that could happen.  

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It is not uncommon for people with epilepsy (PWEs) to have concerns when taking a flight; they especially might worry about the possibility of having a seizure during the trip; the invisibility of epilepsy which could make it harder to request accommodations; and about how to manage their anxiety.  When facing the unknown, it can be helpful to educate yourself as much as possible (e.g., tips, your rights, and reminders).  Let’s start with some key factors to keep in mind: the potential disruption to sleep that comes with travel and time changes, the possibility that you may be nervous and which could lead to hyperventilation, and the possibility of dehydration or skipped meals. Read on about some useful recommendations for flying as a tourist with epilepsy.

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Our NEREG team has been very busy during these past months between presenting at conferences, publishing about epilepsy in textbooks, and working hard to bring awareness through International Epilepsy Day.  Also, in January, NEREG/MAESC met for our quarterly virtual epilepsy book club and every month, our monthly virtual epilepsy support group was held. Also, NEREG is a proud sponsor of Epilepsy Services of NJ’s Paint the Pony Purple!

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Launched in 1998, Northeast Regional Epilepsy Group (NEREG) is a multi-site practice in New Jersey, New York and Connecticut that offers unique services and comprehensive care to children and adults with epilepsy. NEREG provides state-of-the-art diagnostic procedures, 24/7 patient service, highly skilled and experienced practitioners, and exceptional specialty programs designed to cover a broad range of health care needs in each epilepsy patient. NEREG consists of twenty board-certified epilepsy specialists with fellowship training in adult and childhood epilepsy, as well as many other highly skilled health care providers including pediatric/adult neurosurgeons, neuropsychologists, clinical psychologists, epilepsy nurse practitioners, a specially trained nutritionist and epilepsy advocates.
Launched in 2003, Mid-Atlantic Epilepsy and Sleep Center (MAESC) is a practice located in Bethesda, Maryland that offers neurological services and comprehensive care to children and adults. MAESC consists of six board-certified neurologists who treat epilepsy, multiple sclerosis and other neurological illnesses.