Maryla Solognier, Vice President of Fundación Epilepsia Aruba, explained in an interview with Nos Mainta on Telearuba that epilepsy is often misunderstood, with many people viewing the illness through a narrow lens. She emphasized that epilepsy is not caused solely by the individual but can also stem from family history, among other factors.
“If it’s hereditary, the person has a higher chance of experiencing it, whether from their father, mother, or close family,” said Solognier.
She further clarified that, in most cases, epilepsy is not a fatal illness. While it can be dangerous, many individuals recover from attacks. Solognier also provided guidance on how to assist a person having a seizure: “If the person is having an attack, they don’t need to be left alone; they should seek help. It’s important to stay calm and monitor the duration of the attack. If the seizure lasts for 4 or 5 minutes or if more attacks occur, an ambulance should be called.”
New Initiatives:
Solognier shared that the foundation began holding social gatherings last year to help individuals affected by epilepsy. They had two meetings in the past year and plan to continue with these initiatives. “We’ve connected with people who wanted to share their experiences, express their feelings, and talk about what they’ve gone through, whether at work or with their families,” she explained.
Looking to the future, the foundation aims to host more meetings and continue developing ideas to offer support. “We want to listen to people and help them understand that epilepsy is not an easy situation in any way. We also give them the opportunity to share their stories so others can hear and understand them,” Solognier emphasized.
However, Maryla Solognier also noted that the foundation is not currently receiving any support from the government. They have a dedicated committee working hard to move forward with their initiatives and to organize these gatherings. The foundation is also planning to host a Congress and will require funding to make it a reality.
