“MY BROTHER”: Local Mother & Daughter Teach Kids About Epilepsy

MY BROTHER: Local Mother & Daughter Teach Kids About Epilepsy

A couple of years ago, my then seven year old daughter, Abby and I wanted to bring awareness and teach people, particularly children about Epilepsy. This condition is near and dear to our hearts as Abby’s brother, my son, Mason has it. It seems to be a misunderstood medical condition with little written material for the youngest people in society, children. Abby and I researched what books are out there and there were very few available to take in to read to children in school to help them understand what challenges her brother, Mason faces having seizures. Then we thought, why not write and illustrate a book of our own. Many of the books we found used large medical terminology and seemed to give a sense of fear to the reader. We wanted our book to be read by very young children as well as adults. So we created a book in rhyme format and one that left the reader with a positive feeling. Abby and I worked together to create the colorful illustrations. We have read this book to several classes and to children as well as adults. It tends to open up conversations about what epilepsy is and how they can help someone in this situation.

We hope it will help children not feel scared but empower them to know they can help a person who has seizures and that person only wants what they do, to have friends and learn new things.