Epilepsy Foundation of Texas

The Epilepsy Foundation Texas' goals include ensuring access to specialized medical care for those most in need, providing experiences to enrich the lives of individuals and families living with epilepsy, and delivering easy access to reliable information, resources, and support services. Our mission is to lead the fight to overcome the challenges of living with epilepsy and to accelerate therapies to stop seizures, find cures, and save lives. We believe life doesn't have to be different because you have seizures.

The Epilepsy Foundation Texas offers a variety of programs and services to help you live life to the fullest. All of our programs and services are designed to help you overcome the challenges created by epilepsy. Current Foundation activities include the following programs:

Adult Services – Adults diagnosed with epilepsy receive specialty medical care through one of the Foundation's free medical clinics, advocacy, education, and social and support programs. A multi-week art program and a Family Camp Weekend are also in place.

Children's Services – Families of children diagnosed with epilepsy receive advocacy, education, social, and support programs. Also provided are week-long recreational opportunities for children ages 8 to 14, Camp Spike' n' Wave® and Camp Neuron®, and Kamp Kaleidoscope® for teens with epilepsy ages 15 to 19. A Transition Education Program is offered to teens (ages 12-19) and parents to learn how to become adults living with a chronic condition. Topics include healthcare, school, work, social relationships, and seizure management.

Community Education – Up to date epilepsy information is available through in-services to businesses and community organizations. Teacher and school nurse training is provided through the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Information and Referral – Individuals diagnosed with epilepsy and their families can obtain accurate information about epilepsy and available programs and services in the region.

Support and Activity Groups – Adolescents, adults, and parents gather to meet others coping with similar issues, make friends, and gain support from others' experiences.

The Epilepsy Foundation Texas has FREE medical clinics in 7 different cities that provide specialty care throughout Texas's 176 counties. There are week-long recreational opportunities for children ages 8 to 14, Camp Spike' n' Wave® and Camp Neuron®, and Kamp Kaleidoscope® for teens with epilepsy ages 15 to 19. We have various support groups for adolescents, adults, and parents to meet other coping with similar issues throughout the state. Through education, by the end of 2020, we will assist in training 700,000 school personnel in seizure first aid and recognition as well as countless other businesses, families, and community organizations.

Highly qualified staff with years of experience lead the programs and services. We have strong partnerships and support from the community. Our Board of Directors is robust and deeply engaged. Many personally impacted by epilepsy. The Foundation also has a Professionally Advisory Board of leaders from the medical community. With the help of volunteers, we reach even more people. EFTX receives funding from individuals, corporations, private foundations, and state funding. With these resources, we can provide all of our services at NO COST.

The most critical need for people with epilepsy is expert medical management. Specialized medical care is fundamental to limiting seizure activity. Through nine clinic locations in the state, people with epilepsy who have nowhere else to turn, look to the Epilepsy Foundation Texas to receive this life-saving care. The Foundation provides medical care to more than 1,000 patients each year. Patients receive all necessary clinic visits, diagnostic testing, and prescription drugs at no cost. The Epilepsy Foundation Texas provides specialty medical care at an average price of $1,000 per patient annually.

Approximately 300 youths from ages 8-19, gain this magical experience each summer through one of the Epilepsy Foundation Texas' three, week-long summer camps. Nearly 100 individuals are served through the Family Camp each fall. Summer camp provides young people the opportunity to grow in confidence, social skills, and self-esteem. Activities encourage campers to overcome challenges, support each other, and have fun. The cost to send one child to one week of summer camp is $1,200. The cost of a family camp is $200 per person for the weekend retreat.

Nothing can disarm fear, prejudice, and misunderstanding like knowledge. Epilepsy information and first aid are presented to over 20,000 people each year at schools, job sites, conferences, police departments, and community organizations. Our education programs cover a broad spectrum of the community, including free school nurse and personnel seizure first aid, transition education for teens and parents, epilepsy education programs, support groups, and much more.

Educational presentations not only provide proper first aid training for seizures but also promote epilepsy awareness and acceptance of those living with seizures.

We have strengthened our programs within the communities and ensured that the current plans are effective, especially during the COVID-19 crisis. We strive to reach more outlying areas and under-represented segments within our community.