What it Means to be an Advocate
Epilepsy Advocacy in Connecticut
Individuals with Epilepsy face unique obstacles to care including difficulty accessing proper medications, inflated cost of treatment, and limited state and federal resources.
Through the Epilepsy Foundation of Connecticut’s dedicated network of Advocates and events such as our annual Advocacy Day, we’re determined to fight for key policy issues in both the State and Federal capacities.
Epilepsy Legislative History
-
2015
Diastat Allowed in School Setting
Passed legislation that allowed for critical access to the emergency seizure medication, Diastat, in a school setting.
-
2019
Advocated Funding for Katie Beckett Waiver Program
Successfully advocated for adding additional state funding for the Katie Beckett Waiver Program.
-
2021
Passed Halyn’s Law
Passed Halyn’s Law, requiring the continuing medical education of the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner to include in-depth training on SUDEP.
Become an Advocate
We Need Your Help!
The Epilepsy Foundation of Connecticut leads the fight to overcome the challenges of living with epilepsy and to accelerate therapies to stop seizures, find cures and save lives.
We need your help! Join our growing force of Advocates and help us in our mission to create positive change in Connecticut and on Capitol Hill. Contact us to see how you can become an Advocate today
helping make a difference
Epilepsy Advocacy Day 2023
Because of their advocacy and the amazing work they did on Wednesday, we have received a commitment from the Co-Chair of the Education Committee, Representative Jeff Currey, to add the Seizure Safe School legislation as an amendment to a larger bill this session! We have also received commitments from several members of the Education Committee to support this legislation.
Wednesday was only the beginning. On Friday, EFCT sent Representative Currey the language we would like to see in the amendment. Once the legislation is officially added on to the larger bill there will be more work to be done to get this passed. We will keep you all updated on the process and we will certainly be calling on you to support this legislation!
We would like to thank everyone who has helped us get to this point. Jessica Loffredo for advocating for Seizure Safe Schools and getting this process started. Representative Wood and her staff for introducing the bill and hosting us on Wednesday.
EFCT’s entire Board of Directors and specifically, Alex Robertson, Michelle Mechanic, and Denise Brower for helping us put Advocacy Day together. Our speakers, Sophia Seeger, Chris Murtha, Jessica Loffredo, and Sam Zakur. As well as all of our advocates for scheduling meetings with their legislators, attending the event, and advocating for the Connecticut Epilepsy Community!
Advocacy Day Gallery
Click to view larger images.
