EPILEPSY AND YOUR LIFESTAGE
Family Respite Camps & Adult Get-Aways
The Epilepsy Foundation of Victoria offers two camping experiences per year.
Family Camp
At this camp we are focussing on any child under the age of 18 who is living with epilepsy, along with their family members. We hope that by bringing families together we can combat the isolation that many experience. At our camp “kids can be kids” and adults can “just be themselves” in a safe and understanding environment. The family camp is usually held over one of the weekends in the April school holidays. Families arrive on the Friday afternoon and stay until the Sunday afternoon.
“We have attended two epilepsy camps as a family. We have three boys. Matthew is our middle son. He has epilepsy and a mild intellectual disability. My husband and I felt the camp was a place of respite and an environment where we could all relax and associate with people coping with the same issues. Our eldest and youngest sons enjoyed time with the volunteers and gained a little more insight and understanding of their brother’s condition. Before going to camp Matthew had no interaction with anyone else with epilepsy and now understands he is not alone living with it”
Karen.
Adult Getaway
This is usually held for four days in October encompassing a weekend and two other days. We aim to provide a balance of activities and programs to meet the needs of everyone involved. Anyone living with epilepsy over the age of 18 is encouraged to apply.
“At the camp the weight of living with epilepsy was lifted from our shoulders. I was able to relax for the first time in months; to clear my head; to exercise my body; to open up in discussion groups and talk about issues that had caused me anxiety. The camp has rejuvenated me not only physically but also mentally and emotionally.” Bron
If you would like to know more about our camping program please contact
Jan Burns via email or on (03) 52231645
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