Children & Youth Groups

A monthly social support group for all teens living with epilepsy, ages 13 through 18, to

connect, share and understand with other teens in a relatable, supportive and inclusive

group sharing experience. Being a teen is not always an easy stage of life, while having

to deal with physical changes, social complexities, school stresses, life beyond your

teenage years and balancing friends, family, school and work life. On top of typical

teenage worries for all individuals, teens living with epilepsy may face stigma, exclusion

and bullying, while working through the process, acceptance, understanding of being a

teen living with epilepsy. Although your experiences, stresses and struggles may seem

a lot at times, these all make you a stronger, understanding and confident warrior,

being a young individual who has gone through so much more than many others your

age can even understand.

The purpose of this group, is to give teens living with epilepsy a chance to be a part of

something that connects to you personally, welcomes the ability to discuss this process

for you and opens doors to meeting others in a similar position showing each member

they are not alone in their journey with epilepsy. This group is an opportunity, for all

teens living with epilepsy across York Region, to connect virtually by meeting other

teens you may have a lot in common with, share personal interests, have relatable

experiences with or even make some new friends. Teens are encouraged to discuss

personal interests, hobbies and lifestyles, life experiences of a teen living with epilepsy,

challenges or barriers you may be facing and most importantly be part of an

understanding group of teens who all have at least one aspect of what makes you who

you are in common.

EYR welcomes all teens living with epilepsy, whether new to the diagnosis, experienced throughout your life, un/controlled, seizure free for a duration or anywhere along your journey with epilepsy. The group will be a blend of personal sharing and focused events, topics or discussions with a monthly sign-up opportunity. EYR teen’s groups will be held virtually through zoom for the time being, held on weekday evenings and run for an hour each meeting. Each month there will be a reminder email sent out for the group, a week in advance, where if you plan to attend, you simply reply to that email to confirm your attendance in the upcoming group session.

NEXT MEETING DATE: TBA

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EYR hosts various social events throughout the year to encourage children living with

epilepsy and their siblings, ages 4 through 12, to embrace social interaction,

involvement and empowerment with their local agency and other kids living with

epilepsy across York Region. Children’s social events are typically geared around

holidays throughout the year, where the event will fall near the date of the holiday,

embrace the holiday traditions and raise excitement for the kids around both the

holiday and event! Events around holidays typically include Valentine’s Day, March

Awareness and Purple Day on March 26th, Easter, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Back to

School, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas and Winter Holiday’s.

Please know we are open to your family’s participation at your own preference and sign

up for each event is completed separately. At EYR we understand not all families

celebrate certain westernized holiday’s, may not be able to commit their attendance for

every event and may have to cancel or sign up on short notice around their child’s

medical needs. Each event will be structured differently depending on the holiday in

terms of duration, date and time of scheduling and resources involved, however please

note that EYR does its best in creating these events to be most suitable for the majority

of family’s participation. These events involve no cost to the family to participate and all

items or resources will be provided through the agency. For the possibility of a few

event exceptions, there may be a request sent to parents prior to the event if specific at

home prep for involvement in the event is needed or arrangement for at home drop-offs of event specific items provided and delivered from the agency.

Each event announcements will be sent through email approximately a month in

advance with the event description, information needed, and a final rsvp date in place

asking for a confirmation of number of children attending. This is so as an agency we

can ensure all prep, materials and participants are ready and confirmed in advance and

offers enough time for parents to make any at home necessary adjustments. The day

following the rsvp deadline, those who confirmed their attendance will be contacted

with any instructions, information and resources needed along with the zoom link to

participate in the event. EYR does not have a maximum or minimum number of

attendees for each event, nor is there any penalty for last minute cancellation or sign

up, that being said, participation at each event can vary. We encourage children

attending to bring along their siblings or family member at home to the event and ask

parents to be close by during the event for any assistance needed at home as virtual

event delivery continues until further notice.

NEXT EVENT:  TBA