December’15
Date	Activity	Venue	Purpose
12th Dec	Medicine Distribution	Jain Clinic	Subsidized medicine for life members
November’15
Date	Activity	Venue	Purpose
1st Nov	Rural Epilepsy Clinic	Pen, Raigad district	diagnosis, follow up, and medicine distribution
14th Nov	Medicine Distribution	Jain Clinic	Subsidized medicine for life members
21st Nov	Epilepsy Awareness Program	Kokilaben D.Ambani Hosp, Andheri	Meet the Experts & have your queries answered
21st Nov	Epilepsy Awareness Program	Hinduja Hosp	Childhood Epilepsy
22nd Nov	Epilepsy Education Program	Fortis Hospital Mulund	Education program for nurses and doctors
October’15
Date	Activity	Venue	Purpose
10th Oct	Medicine Distribution	Jain Clinic	Subsidized medicine for life members
24th Oct	Support Group Meeting	Jaslok Hospital, Pedder Road	Epilepsy Education
September’15
Date	Activity	Venue	Purpose
12th Sept	Medicine Distribution	Jain Clinic	Subsidized medicine for life members
26th Sept	Support Group Meeting	Brahmakumari Hosp	Epilepsy Education
August’15
Date	Activity	Venue	Purpose
2nd Aug	Rural Epilepsy Clinic	Pen, Raigad district	diagnosis, follow up, and medicine distribution
8th Aug	Medicine Distribution	Jain Clinic	Subsidized medicine for life members
22nd Aug	Support Group Meeting	Kokilaben D.A. Hosp. Andheri	Epilepsy Education
July’15
Date	Activity	Venue	Purpose
11th July	Medicine Distribution	Jain Clinic	Subsidized medicine for life members
25th July	Support Group Meeting	KEM Hospital Parel	Epilepsy Education
June’15
Date	Activity	Venue	Purpose
13th June	Medicine Distribution	Jain Clinic	Subsidized medicine for life members
27th June	Support Group Meeting	Nair Hospital, Byculla	Patient education program
May’15
Date	Activity	Venue	Purpose
9th May	Medicine Distribution	Ecell	Subsidized medicine for life members
10th May	Rural Epilepsy Clinic	Pen, Raigad district	diagnosis, follow up, and medicine distribution
23rd May	Support Group Meeting	Ecell	Discussion on alternative office set up
April’15
Date	Activity	Venue	Purpose
11th April	Medicine Distribution	Ecell	Subsidized medicine for life members
25th April	Support Group Meeting	Ecell, Mumbai	Review of activities and birthday celebrations

 

Mumbai Marathon January 19, 2014

The Mumbai Marathon is a big fundraiser for us.  We sold 25 bibs, 15 to GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceuticals Ltd alone and another 10 bibs bought from employees of Mindshare.

Feb 1^st & 2^nd Econ 2014 at Kolkata

Few Samman members went to Kolkata for Econ 2014.

 

Dr. Pradnya Gadgil held an awareness program with the BMC education officers which was very well received.

Rural Epilepsy Clinics held in Pen:

4 Clinics were held during the year on : 9^th March 2014, 1^st June 2014, 24^th August, 2014 and 16^th November 2014  – Approx 85 patients attended each clinic where medicines were given free or at a nominal cost.

Support Group Meetings were held every 4^th Saturday. Topics covered during the meetings were:

1. Understanding your blood report: Carol D’Souza – Jan ‘14
2. Requirements for disability certification: Kavita Shanbhag & Dr. Bina Sawant – Feb ‘14
3. Sharing on the women who have inspired us : led by Carol D’Souza – March ‘14
4. 22^nd March ’14 – visit to Sarah Sharma’s home to celebrate her birthday.
5. April ’14 – birthday celebration at Dr. Shah’s home in Vikhroli
6. May 4, Minal Mahesh get married
7. Meeting organized at KEM Hospital – Dr. Sangeeta Ravat & Dr. Urvashi Shah – 9^th May
8. Needs & issues of people with epilepsy – Christopher Fernandes – 12^th July
9. Hypertension, thyroid & diabetes – talk by Dr. Swati – 24^th July
10. Employment – Kavita Shanbhag – 23^rd August
11. Trip to Mani Bhavan – led by Christopher Fernandes – 13^th September
12. Diwali Party – 18^th October
13. Visit to Borivali National Park & Kanheri Caves – organized by Christopher Fernandes – November 2014
14. Christmas cum new year party held on 27^th December, 2014

 

Epilepsy Awareness Week Programs:

Christopher organized 3 epilepsy awareness camps : the first on Tuesday 18th November at Siddhivinayak Temple, Prabhadevi, this was followed by a program at the Mumbai Metro, Ghatkopar on Thursday 20th and the third one was held at Haji Ali on Friday 21st. We were given a table to display our material and our members: Ashish, Kalpesh, Kavita, Manohar, Ignatius Misquitta, Nola Shah, Yogita Lad, Gia Lad distributed calendar cards and educated people about epilepsy. On 17th Nov, Kavita tweeted Krutika’s slogan “National Epilepsy Day – Don’t be scared, Let’s Care” which was retweeted by others.

 

We are also proud of Shenaz who was felicitated at Shree Chitra, Trivandrum, on 17th November, for winning the Outstanding Person with Epilepsy Award and Keyur who won the runners up prize for the Badminton tournament organized by Epilepsy Foundation. Congratulations to both of them.

 

Exhibiton Cum Sale: We participated in the Indus Festival of Charities Exhibition cum Sale for NGOs held at YMCS end November 2014.

During the whole year every Thursday we had Divine Soul Healing

A Divine Soul Healing Teacher Sarosh Buhariwala spends an hour or two each Thurday afternoon for Divine Soul Healing for our members.

 

 

During the year we have:

• Given information over the phone and to visitors
• Conducted counselling
• Given special / remedial education
• Given medicines at a reduced rate
• Had Support Group Meetings on the 2^nd and 4^th Saturdays of each month.
• Conducted Awareness Programs
• Conducted rural epilepsy camps

 

DETAILS OF OUR MAIN PROGRAMS

 

RURAL EPILEPSY CAMPS, PEN

Five rural epilepsy camps were held at Pen, Raigad district on the following dates:

• 22^nd December 2013 – Lupin Laboratories brought EEG machines & technicians to this clinic.
• 6^th October 2013
• 14^th July 2013
• 21^st April 2013
• 27^th January 2013

 

An average of 90 patients attended each camp where medicines are given free or at a very nominal rate.

 

E-CON 2013 – HYDERABAD – 9^th & 10^th of February

12 Samman members / caregivers attended this conference.   They performed a skit at the Patients’ session.  Dr. Pravina Shah gave the Presidential oration and Carol D’Souza was invited to give the Bajoria Oration.  3 days, prior to the conference, we organized sight seeing tours which covered Salarjung Museum, Nizam museum, Birla Temple, Chowmohalla Palace, Golconda fort, Zoo Park, Lumbini Park and Ramojee Film City.

 

Support Group Meetings

12^th April 2013 – Expression of self through song poetry and dance.

27^th April, 2013 – Dr. Pravina Shah reviews members blood test reports and gives prescriptions.

11^th May, 2013 – Celebration at Mukesh Shah’s home

25^th May, 2013 – Carol D’Souza spoke about the A of Good Health.  The bodily needs of Acid-Alkaline balance, Anti-oxidants, Amino Acids, ‘A’ foods that are good for your health and ‘A’ foods that are not good for your health were explained. At the end of the session we also had games to test their knowledge.

8^th June, 2013 Keyur and his family welcomed us to his residence at Lalbaug.  Kunal his twin brother a yoga teacher gave us a demonstration.

22^nd June, 2013 – Carol conducted the B’s of Good Health such as the importance of Blood sugar, Blood pressure, Blood clots, bacteria and some B foods good for your health i.e. Bananas, beetroot & bran

10^th Aug 2013 Dr. Shah attended meeting in Shetty’s restaurant. Discussed plans for Samman.

24^th Aug, 2013 Carol D’Souza did the C’s of good health

14^th Sept 2013 Carol D’Souza did the  DE & F of good health

28^th Sept 2013 World Human Development Center Lecture organized by Keyur Vaghela

14^th Dec, 2013 through the efforts of Dr. Bina Sawant, Teachers from Dr. & Master Zhi Gang Sha’s came to ECell to lay their Divine Healing Hands for soul healing for our members.

30^th Dec 2013 – Christmas cum New Year Party at Sudama, Krishna Palace sponsored through donations received from Sarah Sharma

11^th Jan, 2014 – Support Group meeting held at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, Andheri

8^th Feb, 2014 – Carol D’Souza spoke on ‘Understanding your blood report’.

22^nd Feb, 2014 – Dr. Bina Sawant and Kavita Shanbhag informed our members on how they could obtain a Disability Certificate.

8^th Mar, 2014 – Being women’s day we shared about the women in our lives who have inspired us.

22^nd Mar, 2014 – We first met at ECell where Sarah had sent gifts for all ECell members.  After that we went to Sarah’s place on Napean Sea Road to celebrate her birthdahy..

 

Diagnostic Health Camp – 9^th April, 2013

• At ECell in coordination with Thyrocare we had blood testing for complete health evaluation for our members and their caregivers. The cost of the test which included Vitamin D3 and B12 along with 48 other parameters was Rs.1400/-.  People with epilepsy who were members were subsidized by 50%.

 

Teacher Training Course Muskan Foundation 5-7^th June, 2013

Muskan Foundation that works for people with disabilities organized a 3 day refresher course (5-7th June 2013) to update their teachers on changing trends, understanding of associated disorders, technology and education of children with disabilities.

Professionals from various fields were asked to conduct lectures / workshops. Samman member and Epilepsy Educator Kavita Shanbhag spoke to the teachers about Epilepsy and understanding children with convulsions and its implications to teachers and parents.

 

Exhibition cum Sale at St. Joseph’s Convent – 25^th August, 2013

Once again we took part in the sale for NGOs organized by the ex-students of St. Joseph’s Convent at their Alma Mater.  This year too we enjoyed the event, created awareness and made a good sale.

Awareness Program at UCB Corporate Office – 16^th November, 2013 : Shenaz and I were invited to UCB India to talk to their employees about epilepsy. I spoke on ‘Understanding the challenges faced by people with epilepsy and caregivers’ and Shenaz spoke about her life with epilepsy. The audience was attentive and had a lot of questions. They appreciated that Shenaz was courageous enough to share with them about her personal life.

Patient Awareness Program at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital on NED 17^th November, 2013.  The program titled ‘Success Despite Seizures’ was organized by a team from KDAH headed by Dr. Jayanti Mani.  IEA / Samman Association was given the opportunity to talk about the work we do. We were also given a table where we gave out our brochures and spoke to other people with epilepsy.

Epilepsy Education Program for General Physicians at Fortis Hospital, Mulund on NED 17^th November, 2013 – This was organized by Dr. Pravina Shah.

Conquering Epilepsy Book Launch & AGM 21^st November, 2013 – First let me thank Dr. Pravina Shah for taking a lot of effort to see that this book got done in the best possible way. And I also thank the Distributors Bhalani Medical Book House and Ashish Arts who were very pleasant and cooperative to work with.  As you’ll aware the book launch and AGM took place at Krishna Palace and was well attended.  As mentioned earlier both IEA and Samman have benefitted financially from this deal.

 

Press Club Meeting – 22^nd November, 2013

We also took the opportunity of the book launch to have a press conference.  Dr. Pravina Shah spoke on the medical aspects, Sujatha Gopalan spoke about difficulties faced by children and Carol spoke about the book Conquering Epilepsy.

 

Indus Festival of Charities Exhibition cum Sale 7^th December, 2013

Every year on the  1^st Saturday in December the Indus Festival of Charities organizes an exhibition cum sale for NGOs.  This year too we participated and enjoyed the event.

 

Christmas Party – 30^th December 2013

We celebrated with a lunch at the Sudama restaurant at Krishna Palace Hotel.  The lunch was organized with the support received through the late Sarah Sharma.

 

Blog ecellin.wordpress.com

Carol D’Souza continues to maintain this blog for Samman Association.

Counselling & yoga are ongoing activities.

Topics covered during support group meetings were as follows:

Date    

14th January                Planning for Econ 2012

28th January               Income Generation Schemes

10th February              Income Generation Schemes

24th March                  Becoming an Avon Distributor – Priti Avon Bus. Dev. Mgr.

28th April                     Dr. Pravina Shah shares her important learning experiences

26th May                      ABT Games – Kavita Shanbhag

9th June                        Sharing stories with a moral – facilitator Salil Kulkarni

23rd June                      Changing habits that don’t work for us – Carol D’Souza, Kavita Shanbhag

14th July                       Understanding epilepsy – Carol D’Souza

The Chapter was invited to raise epilepsy awareness amongst employees of the Essar Group, on 3rd February and 10th February 2012 at their offices at Mahalaxmi and Bandra Kurla complex.  Carol D’Souza conducted these programs.

E-Con 2012 – 25th & 26th of February : 15 Samman members / caregivers attended this  enriching and well organized conference.   For 3 days, prior to the conference, we organized sight seeing tours for our members which covered Backwater Kochi City Tour, Cherai Beach, Athirampally waterfalls, the elephant training center and a visit to Kaladi –  Adi Shankara’s birth place.

BLOG: Ecellin.wordpress.com set up and managed by Carol D’Souza is regularly updated and continues to receive good feedback.

Rural Medical Clinics at Pen    

Camp  No.	30	31
Dates of camps	4.3.12	27.5
Total New + follow-up	87	96
Total Non-Epilepsy	3	4
Total Ep. + Non-Epilepsy	90	100
New Cases	9	12
Follow-up ep cases	78	84

\E-Empowerment Program : We decided to support some of our members who have active seizures.  These members who travel to ECell in spite of seizures, are given a token remuneration.  They make paper bags and crochet items at ECell and also help in any routine work they are capable of doing.  This program started in April 2012 and continues to date.

At our support group meetings the following topics were discussed:

8th Jan (New Year Party)
22nd Jan Reactions to different situations using role play
12th Feb Discussion on trip to Ludhiana for ECon
12th March Discussion on my relationship with God
9th April “Our Best & Worst Holidays” – All Samman Members
23rd April Guest lecture by Orthapaedic Surgeon Dr. Milind Sawant on Arthritis Prevention & Management.
14th May “Let’s Change Our Lives” by Psychologist Carol D’Souza
28th May Guest lecture by Yoga Consultant Shilpaben Joshi on “Spirituality in Daily Living”
9th July Carrom Tournament
23rd July Art Becomes Therapy Session – Kavita Shanbhag
13th August Friendship Day Celebration – A sharing of the good we see in our friends at ECell. We also tied friendship bands on each other.
10th September Ganpathi Painting Competition
24th September “From Helplessness to Control” – Carol D’Souza
8th October Sale of diyas made by our members. A game that helped us know each other better conducted by Carol D’Souza
22nd October Rangoli competition
12th November Training for the dance performance for epilepsy week conducted by Divya
10th December Christmas party

Counselling and yoga continued at ECell throughout the year conducted by Carol D’Souza and Sharvari Khot respectively.

We were deeply saddened on 26th January, 2011 when our member Sydney Joseph passed away after a brief illness.

E-STAR (Epilepsy Student & Teacher Awareness Reachout) : We had two school awareness programs for students of 8th & 9th standards at:
Seventh Day Adventist High School, Sanpada, Navi Mumbai on 7th January 2011 &
Podar International School, Nerul, Navi Mumbai on 10th January, 2011

Uttejan – (Positive Reinforcement) the Thane Epilepsy Support Group celebrated their 1st anniversary on February 6 2011. Many of our members joined them in their celebration.

E-Con 2011, 25th & 26th of February : 13 Samman members / caregivers attended this very enriching and well organized conference where Dr. Urvashi Shah was given the Bajoria Award. Members also enjoyed the visit to the Golden Temple in Amritsar and the trip to Wagah Border.

Disability in Epilepsy -As the Amendments of the Rights of Persons with Disability Act 1995 is being taken up again, Kavita Shanbhag and Carol D’Souza attended a meeting held for this purpose at Nagpur on 22nd and 23rd March.

Rural Epilepsy Camps, Pen : The comprehensive epilepsy team conducted 6 epilepsy clinics at Pen as follows:

 

Camp  No.	24	25	26	27	28	29
Dates of camps	13.2.11	10.4	5.6	31.7	9.1	     18.12
Total New + follow-up	94	82	84	75	91	99
Total Non-Epilepsy	4	1	4	6	5	4
Total Ep. + Non-Epilepsy	98	83	88	81	96	103
New Cases	11	6	4	3	9	6
Follow-up ep cases	83	76	80	72	82	93

 

Epilepsy Training & Awareness Programs for Health Workers: Training programs for health workers from different regions of India was organized by the National Association for the Blind. On 13th June 2011, 11th July 2011 and 7th November 2011 we were invited to educate them about epilepsy management and treatment. Dr. Pravina Shah, Dr. Sushil Tandel, Kavita Shanbhag and Carol D’Souza participated in these training programs.

Abbott India Ltd invited Dr. Pravina Shah and Carol D’Souza to educate their Sales Representatives on 5th August.

During the inaugural ceremony of the International Epilepsy Congress in Rome on 28th August Dr. Pravina Shahreceived the Social Accomplishment Award. This award is given jointly by the IBE and ILAE, every two years to an individual to recognize his or her outstanding personal contribution to activities that have resulted in a significant advance in the social well being and or quality of life of people with epilepsy. The Chapter was extremely happy that Dr. Pravina Shah who is well known as a humanitarian and esteemed neurologist, received this international recognition.

Art Based Therapy (ABT) : Using art forms such as music, drama and visual arts Kavita Shanbhag conducted 30 therapeutic sessions during the months of March, April, August & September 2011. Samman members enthusiastically participated and enjoyed the ABT sessions which helped improve their self expression and reconnected them with various art forms.

Sheltered Work : From April-September 2011 we received packaging work from a toy manufacturer. 5 of our members did this work at ECell for which they were paid by the toy manufacturer.

Epilepsy Month
15th November – Press Conference held at the Press Club of Mumbai on the latest on Epilepsy Management & Treatment and achievements of the Bombay Chapter. Press articles appeared in the Indian Express, Maharashtra Times & Sakal newspapers.

16th November – Interview with Kavita Shanbhag was aired on Rainbow FM News Channel which is a Marathi channel with a large rural and urban reach in Maharashtra.

16th & 17th November – epilepsy awareness drive at Highstreet Phoenix a large and busy mall in Parel.

19th November E 40-20 celebrations 40 years of IEA and 20 years of Samman
at Hotel Krishna Palace with the theme ‘Epilepsy & Teens’ – Dr. Joy Desai spoke about challenges faced by teens; Carol D’Souza presented on Bombay Chapter’s achievements; Dr. Ravin Thatte spoke on ‘How to refuse to be unhappy’ and Samman members put up a dance performance. Achievement Awards were given to Santosh Tholar and Keyur Waghela and Caregiver of the Year award was given to Sachin Khot. Samman members felicitated Dr. Pravina Shah for receiving the Social Accomplishment award.

Tamana Jotwani who interned with us from 19th October to 19th November 2011 organized an epilepsy awareness program at her college (Jai Hind) on 1st December, 2011. Dr. Pravina Shah and Carol D’Souza participated in this program.

Exhibition cum Sale – December 6, 2011 – Once again we enjoyed participating at the Indus Festival of Charities held at YMCA Colaba.