Purple Day Epilepsy Awareness Blog Hop

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by *Vicki*

Hello friends!  I am very honored to be joining my friend Fikreta Posavec to support her efforts in “Purple Day” for Epilepsy Awareness.

 Please take a moment to read:

Purple Day is a global grassroots event formed with the intention to increase worldwide awareness of epilepsy, and to dispel common myths and fears of this neurological disorder. Further intentions of this movement are to reduce the social stigmas commonly endured by many individuals afflicted with the condition; to provide assurance and advocacy to those living with epilepsy that they are not alone in their ongoing endurance; and to initiate individuals living with the condition to take action in their communities to achieve these aims.

The day occurs annually on March 26.

 Formation and history

The concept of Purple Day was initiated by a 9-year-old named Cassidy Megan and was motivated by her own struggle with epilepsy.

The Epilepsy Association of Nova Scotia helped to develop Cassidy’s idea, and the first Purple Day event was held on March 26, 2008, and is now known as the Purple Day for Epilepsy campaign.

In 2009, the New York-based Anita Kaufmann Foundation and Epilepsy Association of Nova Scotia joined to launch Purple Day internationally and increase the involvement of numerous organizations, schools, businesses, politicians and celebrities around the world. On March 26, 2009, over 100,000 students, 95 workplaces and 116 politicians participated in Purple Day. In March 2009, the official USA Purple Day Party launch was organized by the Anita Kaufmann Foundation. Canadian Paul Shaffer of the Late Show with David Letterman attended the official launch at Dylan’s Candy Bar in New York City.

In March 2012, Purple Day received the Royal Assent and became a legal day for epilepsy awareness in Canada.

In December 2015, Electronics retailer Dick Smith had arranged a major corporate partnership with Epilepsy Action Australia to support Purple Day in Australia with a $50,000 cash sponsorship, prizes and exclusive distribution of Purple Day merchandise. A week prior to Purple Day celebrations in 2016, Dick Smith was placed in receivership. Later, the Retail Food Group provided a $50,000 donation to match Dick Smith’s previously promised sponsorship.

My own experience with epilepsy revolved around someone in my childhood school.  She was constantly made fun of because of certain behaviors she had due to epilepsy and I wasn’t aware of her condition, but naturally felt sorry for her.  Due to me trying to be nice to this person, I quickly became someone who was also made fun of for it.  Children can be cruel, but I’m sure that the long term affects of what this person went through were very traumatic and long lasting.  I watched her collapse in her yard with a seizure and was so scared. (This is how I learned about what she had.) She was embarrassed about it and didn’t want to talk with anyone about it.  I have since lost contact with that person from school years, but think of this time with my heart still going out to that person and wishing her a happy life.

My hope is that there is more education about this in the school system and especially since it can be very dangerous and children need to be aware of it along with what to watch for and/or to tell a teacher what is going on or how to help.  If other children are more aware, then maybe stigma can be less severe for children with epilepsy.  It would be so hard for a child to speak out about something they are being made “ashamed’ for.

Fikreta has brought us together for a fun blog hop to bring awareness to PURPLE DAY and educate people about this condition that her husband has.

Here is the special card that I’ve made for this blog hop:

Vicki-PurpleDayBlogHop-MFTWSC429

I had so much fun with this card!  I first started out by making a panel with alcohol inks over some Yupo paper.  I didn’t have the MFT Triangle dies, so I made myself a stencil and cut out my own from the alcohol background I made.  I then white heat embossed the sentiment from the MFT All About You stamp set and cut out the black strip and attached in the center between the triangle layout.  I then cut out this panel with the MFT Wonky Stitched Rectangle die and added some splatters with some Brutus Monroe purple “basket grass” Aqua pigment and water.  (Love the shimmer it created too!  See the photo below.)

Next, I cut out the “you” die from some Brutus Monroe Spring collection glitter stock and placed it underneath the black strip sentiment.  Lastly, I stamped one of the cute little Yetis from the MFT Beast Friends stamp set and colored him with my Copics.  I popped him up over the bottom portion of the design with some foam dots.  Lastly, I’ve added some Brutus Monroe Unicorn Bottlecap Sequins and filled the centers with Nuvo White Blizzard Glitter Drops.

Vicki-PurpleDayBlogHop-MFTWSC429-close

Here’s a closer look at this cute little guy and how I’ve colored him up.  I’ve used a light purple tone marker to color the outer “fur” portion of his body.

Vicki-PurpleDayBlogHop-MFTWSC429-flat

Here’s the card lying flat, and you can see in the light how those splatters shimmer!  Those aqua pigments are very awesome to play with!!

challenges I’d like to enter:

  1.  My Favorite Things Wednesday Sketch Challenge – MFTWSC429
  2. Creative Moments – Anything Goes
  3. Pammies Inky Pinkies – PIP1912 Anything Goes

63 thoughts on “Purple Day Epilepsy Awareness Blog Hop”

  1. Your card is absolutely adorable, and I love the powerful message of the sentiment. Thank you for sharing your experience with epilepsy. Ir brought tears to my eyes. Education and awareness are so important so people can understand what’s going on. Thank you for your very generous giveaway! I don’t know if I’m eligible since I’m part of the hop but I’d love to win! I am your newest follower! If you’re a friend of Fiki’s, you’re a friend of mine! You were the only stop on the hop that I wasn’t already following so I’m glad I am now! I love your creativity!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you so much for following along with my blog!! I truly appreciate it and once I go through the blog hop, I know I’ll be making some new friends along the way which is always fun too! 🙂 Of couse you are eligible for the prize! Anyone can enter!! Wishing you the best of luck!! HUGS

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  2. Dear Vicki
    Thank you for taking part in the Purple Day Epilepsy awareness Blog Hop by doing this beautiful card using the MFT All About You stamp set and the MFT Beast Friends stamp set.
    In your post you said that u didnt hv a triangle die so you cut a stencil instead. Thank you for reminding the basics for a new crafter like me. I liked the colors and the sentiment too.
    After I got married i suffered with a rare form of Epilepsy where i used to fall without any prior symptoms. It always happened outside and except for my little daughter nobody saw it. I never had seizures but used to get up and walk away. I used to injure my hands and legs too. But i could never recall that moment.
    Even my family members used to pull my leg saying that I was worshipping people on the road. Since I was a journlaist I got a free checkup and they discovered that i was having this rare form of epilepsy. I was on the drug Topomax for many years. After sm time I never got it again. I know the trauma as i hv been through it. I was scared to go on the road and even wrote a letter and kept it with my husband saying that if i was killed by an accident to release the driver without any charges as i am a patient suffering from Epilepsy.
    Thank you for the love you spread and i would also like to participate for the draw which you are planning to give a special gift. The thought that i might be a winner makes my heart skip a beat. my name is Surekha Galagoda and my contact information is surekhagalagoda@gmail.com
    I always say a prayer for the strength and courage to all people who are suffering from Epilepsy have to endure the pain and ridicule and go on in life with the face held high.
    May you and your family be blessed with Good health and happiness always. Love and hugs

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Bless your heart Surekha and I thank you so much for being so brave and sharing your story with me and my readers, it means so much that others are aware and the ways we can help each other across the world. Sending you lots of love and happiness. Blessings to you and your loved ones. Wishing you lots of luck in the draw! 🙂

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  3. This is one amazing card, love the design and the purple and black work so well together. I am so sorry to hear of your experience of epilepsy and today is all about dispelling these awful myths. Thank you for joining us.

    Liked by 1 person

  5. They say it takes a village to raise a kid, but it looks like it took a kid to raise awareness to Epilepsy. Thanks for the hop and your personal story on how it affected you as a child while being sweet to another child.

    Cute card, too.

    Liked by 1 person

  7. Such a beautiful card, love the way you incorporated the sketch. Love the look of alcohol inks, thanks for the chance to win.
    chandhini22 at gmail dot com

    Liked by 1 person

  8. Thank you for participating in this blog hop to bring awareness to epilepsy. Your card is amazing! Thank you for including me in your generous draw.

    Liked by 1 person

  10. What a great sentiment for this awesome cause. I love this very cute card and
    the wonderful take on the sketch; it’s a great design!
    Thanks so much for your awesome giveaway!!
    rebyah1@ gmail.com

    Liked by 1 person

  11. We just recently found out that a long time friend of my husband has a form of epilepsy. Luckily, it is not a severe type, but it was very surprising to hear! I love your card, the yeti looks right at home in the icy looking triangles. The sentiment is great, in fact, it would be great for all kinds of cards. I have always thought that life is not kind, but people can be very kind. Thanks for doing this blog hop.

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  13. Hello Vicki! Such a gorgeous card! I love it! Such an exciting blog hop and I am so happy to be a part of it and spread such an important message. Your giveaway is amazing!
    I am now your newest follower!
    xoxo Olga

    Liked by 1 person

  14. Hi Vicki! Lovely to meet you on this hop! Thank you for sharing your story, I hope in the future no-one has to be embarrassed by their medical condition. Such a beautiful card too, love the combo of the sentiment and the beastie! A pleasure to craft with you for this cause, Annabel x

    Liked by 1 person

  15. What a cute card and I love the uplifting message it conveys too. Great take on the sketch as well. I want to thank you for helping to spread the helpful information about this disease. I learned a lot even though I do have family members who suffer from it. Thankfully, medication has helped them a lot. You certainly are offering a wonderful prize as well.

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  16. Oh Vicki! What an awesome card! I love the purple Yeti and the variation of shades of purple on the triangles is gorgeous! Thank you for being a part of this very important blog hop and for dispelling some of the myths about Epilepsy!!

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  17. Thank you for bringing this to our attention Vicki and sharing your heartfelt story x….
    Your card is fabulous, love how you ‘made’ your own triangles and the inks look striking and great take on the sketch.
    Enjoyed reading your post and well done you on raising awareness x

    Like

  21. Oh this is adorable Vicki! I love that sweet image and the gorgeous inky triangles, awesome sentiment too! Perfect card for a wonderful cause!
    Hugs, Tammy

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  22. Thank you for helping to promote awareness. Your card is so adorable and your generous prize is totally amazing. Happy Purple Day!!!

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  23. I commented on FB where you posted this! I LOVE this card! I had no idea it was part of this hop! So glad I found your blog! It is so awesome of you to bring awareness to this! I am so sorry to hear of your experience of epilepsy but I’m glad this hop is dispelling myths! Thank you for your generous prize (meghan.kennihan@gmail.com)

    Like

  24. Oh my gosh, I love everything about this card. The glitter word, the Yeti, the gorgeous purple hues, and that wonderful sentiment all combine for a fabulous design. I also first learned about epilepsy in school because of a classmate who had it, so thanks for sharing your story. Thanks also for this wonderful prize package.
    kladd94803 at aol dot com

    Like

  26. Stunning card Vicki! I love the sweet image you’ve used and your alcohol ink work is AWESOME!! Love you card design, so styley!! I have nursed so many kiddies with this condition affected in various ways. It certainly can be very frightening to observe a seizure and most especially when you’re small. How lucky that young girl was to have a friend in you, because as you say, kids can be so mean. This hop is for a wonderful cause and I hope this raises awareness for folks who know little or nothing about this condition. Gorgeous and generous prize too, that’s so lovely of you! Big hugs, Wends xoxo

    Like

  28. Amazing card, full of fabulous details and with a great design! Thanks for being part of this Epilepsy awareness Blog Hop, it’s an important cause and you are so generous!

    Like

  29. What a wonderful blog hop! Thanks for sharing your story! Cute card – no prize for me please, I have too much stuff already….

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  30. This card just makes my heart happy. I love the triangles and that cute little Yeti so much. And good for you, standing by your friend in school when she really needed one. Thanks for the chance to win this awesome prize!

    Like

  31. Fantastic card design! I adore everything about it. Interestingly enough, the story about your childhood schoolmate is very similar to my experience with epilepsy. I remember a boy in my class who suffered from convulsions, and how scared everyone was because we didn’t understand what was happening. Thankfully, I don’t recall anyone making fun of him or being mean to him, and I pray that was the case. I do believe the disease something that needs to be addressed in the schools, especially since Epilepsy isn’t rare at all! I have learned so much from this hop, and I am grateful for that. Thank you for being a part of spreading awareness for this misunderstood disease. Thanks, also, for such a generous giveaway! katiegray316(at)gmail

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  32. What a fun card! Love that cute Yeti and the alcohol ink pieces!
    I’m learning a lot about epilepsy awareness along the hop! Thanks for the opportunity to win such a fabulous prize!
    deniseb777ATgmailDOTcom

    Like

  33. Hello Vicki,
    Thanks to the blog hop, I came accross your site. And already the name of your blog made me smile ! =o)
    It’s the first time I heard about Purple Day, although my sister has epilepsy (she is 52 now – and mentally disabled). – I have to check if March 26 (my birthday, so for sure I will remember) is known as epilespy awareness day here in Belgium too.
    Your story is so heartwarming — thank you for defending your friend in your childhood, and for not making fun of her. I’m sure it meant a lot to hear ! It’s so important to have someone near who supports you !
    I hope she is doing ok, and maybe she comes accross your post/blog some day.
    Thank you for supporting this important, heartwarming bloghop and for your generous give-away ! Good luck to all of us.
    Spring greetings from Belgium, Lieve

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    1. Oh, I forgot to say how beautiful your card is !
      I like the different shades of the purple you used, and those triangle colours are great !!

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  34. I just love your take on this sketch and especially those vivid purple colors with added sparkle! What a great cause this card was made for, and I read the story of your childhood friend with sadness in the cruelty people show – even children. None of us are perfect and making fun of those who differ is not a good thing, so hopefully this hop will bring that fact front and center so no one else has to go through being shamed for having something that’s out of their control. Kindness truly matters!

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  35. I’ve hopped on over from Kitty’s KT Designs blog. Love that little yeti on your card and your message is a powerful one indeed. Thanks for the information and sharing your story. I’ve also found a new blog to follow. 🙂

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  37. Wow, your story about your childhood friend is heartbreaking yet so true of kids. I’ve never known anyone with epilepsy but your intro was very informative. And of course I LOVE your card. What a great layout and your little monster is just adorable. Such a positive message.

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  40. I am here from my friend KT Fit Kitty’s blog – this is a lovely card you have created and a good cause as well – thank you for offering a fabulous prize to one of your commenters – have a blessed week [utb 01 @ att [dot] net

    Like

  43. Your card, post, and giveaway are all amazing, Vicki! You really did a sensational job of showing how cool that graphic die is! I love how you made your design whimsical with the monster, schplatters, and shine! It’s lovely to meet you through the hop and follow you! (Of course, please leave me out of your drawing.) Hugs, Darnell

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  45. Dealing with major medical issues to so difficult, especially for school age children. I am praying that each one who is would be fortunate enough to have sweet friends like you to treat them kindly and encouragingly, Vicki!

    I love your fabulous purple design with this mini yeti!! So very cute!!

    Like

  46. What a gorgeous card and for a truly wonderful reason. I love how you cut the purple triangles. Thanks for playing along with us at PIP Challenges.

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  47. Your card is gorgeous!!! Love those vividly colored panels and sparkly accents with your adorable yeti!!
    What a fabulous giveaway, too. Wow. Thanks for your generosity!!
    Thank you for hopping along with us!!
    ❤ J

    jwoolbright at gmail dot com
    HerPeacefulGarden.blogspot.com

    Like

  49. Your card is stunning. Thank you for the information you share, I lost a sister with epilepsy and many do not know what it can do to a family.

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  50. Wonderful card, Vicki, and brings so much awareness for folks suffering from this illness. I lost a very close friend to epilepsy and know first hand how this illness affects those who have seizures, and those around them who are helpless in their wake.

    Hugs
    Sue

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