EPILEPTICS ADVISED

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31724, 6 July 1968, Page 18

EPILEPTICS ADVISED

“Lead Active Life”

Epileptics were no longer considered by the community in which they lived as people apart, and they should not consider themselves as such, said Mr L. J. Coughlan, youth activities officer for the Department of Internal Affairs in Christchurch, at the annual meeting of the Christchurch branch of the New Zealand Epilepsy Association. Mr Coughlan said epileptics should lead as active a life as possible in sport, recreation and work. They should not sit about talking over their problems, but make the best of what they had to gain the best they could for themselves and the community. Many clubs and organisations offered opportunities for epileptics to join. They should participate in sports where they were safe with friends who understood their needs. The chairman of the branch (Mr C. C. Kelland) said in his annual report that although progress appeared slow, much had been done at the Dominion council level for epilepsy sufferers during the year. He was confident even more would be achieved with continued membership support and community interest Officers were elected as follows:

Patron, Mr E. V. Nettleton; president, Mr Kelland; vicepresidents, Drs G. Riley and J. A. K. Cunningham and Mrs B. Barnes; secretary, Mrs R. A. Armstrong; treasurer. Miss G. Cockram: committee, Mesdames K. Jago, R. Miles, E. Diepenheim, R. Gowans, A. Johnston, and T. H. Buckett, Misses P. Mackenzie and G. McEwan and Messrs A. E. Beck, V. J. Wilson and A. Johnston.