For Immediate Release:
June 20, 2018
Deirdre Floyd, President of the Canadian Epilepsy Alliance provides statement regarding Disney’s move to provide a warning for the animated movie “The Incredibles 2 “
June 19, 2018 Walt Disney Pictures issued a warning for the animated Movie “The Incredibles 2”. The Canadian Epilepsy Alliance/Alliance Canadienne de l’epilepsie (CEA/ ACE) believes this is a positive move for individuals that may have flashing lights as a trigger for their seizure disorder. “The CEA/ACE agrees with the Epilepsy Foundation of America that any steps to help provide warnings of imagery or flashing lights, that could be potential triggers in relation to movies or video games would be helpful for those living with seizure disorders” says Deirdre Floyd, President of the CEA/ACE.
What is Photosensitive Epilepsy?
It is described as a sensitivity to flashing or flickering lights of high intensity which are pulsating in a regular pattern and at certain frequencies. Many people are uncomfortable when exposed to such lights, but people with photo sensitive epilepsy can be triggered into seizures by them.
Who is affected by Photosensitive Epilepsy? It is estimated that fewer than 5% of people with epilepsy are photosensitive. It most commonly affects children, and usually appears between the ages of 8 and 20 years. The incidence is highest around ages 12 and 13, suggesting a link with early puberty, and girls are affected more often than boys. There is some evidence to suggest that photosensitivity can disappear with age.
In addition, there are an unknown number of photosensitive persons who have as yet not had a seizure. Photosensitive epilepsy is largely genetically determined, although its inheritance is complex.
The seizures that are produced may take various forms, usually tonic clonic (grand mal), absence, myoclonic, or, less often, focal seizures.
In Canada, there are approximately 260,000 Canadians living with epilepsy. Epilepsy is a neurological condition of the brain characterized by the tendency to have recurring seizures. There are over forty different types of seizures and the triggers for seizures are very individualized. Please visit www.canadianepilepsyalliance.org to learn more about the different types of seizures.
About the Canadian Epilepsy Alliance
The Canadian Epilepsy Alliance (CEA) is a Canada-wide network of grassroots organizations dedicated to the promotion of independence and quality of life for people with epilepsy and their families, through support services, information, advocacy, and public awareness.
As the voting member of the International Bureau of Epilepsy (IBE), the CEA is the voice for those living with epilepsy in Canada and internationally. The IBE is the international organization that serves to develop, support and link national epilepsy organizations around the world and exists to improve the quality of life of all people with epilepsy and their families and careers. The Canadian Epilepsy Alliance works with the IBE and participates in global initiatives representing those living with epilepsy in Canada.
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Trevor Gordon, CEA Social Media Coordinator
communications@canadianepilepsyalliance.org
(905) 450-1900
Contact
Deirdre Floyd, President
President@canadianepilepsyalliance.org
902-430-3602
