at your service
Connecticut Epilepsy Advocate
F
Down Syndrome), or neurological diseases (like Alzheimer’s). The disorder is most commonly treated with medicine or surgery in addition to occasional nerve stimulation and diet. Fiore, 61, has had epilepsy his entire life and received surgery to help him manage the disorder ten years ago. His personal
or Amber St. Jacques of Ansonia, her diagnosis came four years ago at age 33 “clear
experience with epilepsy, as well as a lifetime
out of the blue.” She had a seizure while sleeping and her dog woke her husband who
of the challenges this creates, prompted him
called 911. For Robert Fiore, his diagnosis came decades ago when he was only nine
to found Connecticut Epilepsy Advocate,
months old. Epilepsy would bring these two together years later as one became an important
Inc. (CEA), a recognized 501 (c) (3) non-profit
resource for the other.
organization in Milford in 2009. “I know
About 3 million Americans actively deal
known cause in more than 65 percent of those diagnosed. The remaining have traced the
alone. According to the Centers for Disease
seizure disorder to stroke, brain tumors or
Control and Prevention (CDC), there is no
infections, brain injury, genetic disorders (like
COURTESY OF CONNECTICUT EPILEPSY ADVOCATE INC.
with epilepsy every day; 60,000 in Connecticut
46 Milford Living • Autumn