Purple Day was the brainchild of the then-eight-year-old Cassidy Megan. Initially, Cassidy felt hesitant to disclose her epilepsy diagnosis. Fearing rejection and bullying, she decided to keep her condition close to herself. But after hearing the speech at the Epilepsy Association of the Maritimes (EAM), she changed her mind and revealed her condition to her friends. However, things didn’t go as per her plans, as she was alienated by her friends.
Although she felt dejected, she wasn’t going to go down easily. She got herself back up and felt more motivated to do something for millions suffering from Epilepsy. She contacted her principal and insisted on a day to be formed to Raise Awareness about Epilepsy. With the help of the Epilepsy Association of the Maritimes, she wrote to numerous politicians.
Finally, her efforts bore fruit as the Canadian House of Commons on June 28 2012, officially recognised March 26th as Purple Day. Cassidy chose the colour purple because there are various shades of purple, just like there are numerous types of epilepsy. Today, Cassidy Megan does professional modelling, to send a message that epilepsy does not limit your capabilities. She also studies Screen Arts at Local Community College.
So, here are five ways you can celebrate Purple Day at your institutes or surroundings
- Raise Awareness about Epilepsy Safety
- Support an Epilepsy-Centric NGO
- Organize a Purple Day Sale or Talent Showcase
- Invite a speaker to raise awareness
- Wear Purple on Social Media
There are many myths about epilepsy which have plagued our society. For example, a common misconception is that making a person smell something like onions or shoes is beneficial. This is far from the truth, as making the person smell a strong odour can have long-term consequences. Instead, you can raise awareness about Epilepsy Safety in your community.
There are a lot of people who live below the poverty line, and who also have the burden of suffering from epilepsy. These people do not have the means to seek treatment. Luckily, there are some NGOs dedicated to helping them. But, they are underfunded due to a lack of awareness in mainstream society. One such NGO is the Epilepsy Foundation of India. They provide one year’s worth of medication free to the epileptic patient for free. You can also start a crowdfunding event in your local spaces.
Some people think that epileptic patients are weak and unspirited. To dispel this myth once and for all, you can organize a bazaar or a talent showcase, where epileptic patients will showcase their arts and talents. This will boost the confidence of the patients, and will also help to destroy the myth once and forever.
Inviting a known figure, who is also suffering from epilepsy, to your organisation can be a great idea to celebrate the purple day. These figures can give a talk about their history of diagnosis and how they overcame their condition. These talks will inspire people to not let their condition define them.
Social Media can be a powerful tool in today’s digital world. Your single share has a lot of power and voice. So, use this occasion to spread awareness and resources about epilepsy on social media. Donning a purple outfit and creating reels, is a good way of reaching out to numerous people.
Thank you for taking the time to read this article. Please share this with your friends in your institutional spaces. So, the purple day gets celebrated in your institutes.