This October marks Epilepsy Durham Region’s 35^th anniversary. We would like to share a message from our Executive Director, Chelsea Kerstens, reflecting on how far we’ve come, and where we are going.

To say that Epilepsy Durham Region has made immense strides in its 35 years is an incredible understatement. With very humble roots as a parent-led support group out of a local auditorium in Oshawa, Epilepsy Durham Region has come a long way from its initial wish list of a typewriter and pens and paper. While many things have changed, a few things remain the same:

• Epilepsy Durham Region would not be who we are without the dedication and passion of our volunteers, including the commitment of our volunteer Board of Directors, and the generosity of our civic-minded community members
• We firmly believe in the positive impact of connection – bringing together individuals and families impacted by epilepsy remains at the forefront of our services
• Our clients’ needs are our top priority, and their voices help to shape the goals and direction of our organization.

The foundational work we have invested throughout our 35 years of incorporation has been instrumental in ensuring that individuals and families in Durham Region that are impacted by epilepsy and seizure disorders have direct access to complimentary support, education, and referral services. We are incredibly proud of the efforts Epilepsy Durham Region has made to mitigate the 10-20 year wait from first seizure to appropriate treatment, and continue to partner with local epilepsy specialists to ensure the people of Durham Region are accessing timely and appropriate medical care for their seizures. Most recently, we are excited about connecting individuals, caregivers, and families through new support networks, and the implementation of mental health programming to specifically target the increased rate of mental health issues for those diagnosed with epilepsy.

Powered by our vision to continue to improve the quality of for those impacted by epilepsy – we look forward to continuing to work with our clients, volunteers, and community members to help shape our services. We are so thankful to all of those who have tirelessly and generously given their time to help us realize our mission, and continue building a strong and sustainable future for individuals and families living with epilepsy in Durham Region. Here’s to another 35 + years!

– Chelsea Kerstens | Executive Director

Charities and non-profits have such a growth curve, and at 35 years young, we are more aware of our strengths, and how much there still is to learn.  We are grateful for the people who have gotten us here, and to those who continue to offer their expertise and curiosity to our organization.