HALIFAX – March 26th is Purple Day in Canada as part of epilepsy awareness month. The Purple Day act became law last June and it all started with a Nova Scotia girl five years ago.
Cassidy Megan of Halifax, who founded Purple Day, will attend a reception in Ottawa on Tuesday. On Saturday, she’s at a fund raiser in Halifax for the Epilepsy Association of Nova Scotia.
Cassidy was just 9-years-old when she asked her mother why there wasn’t a day like St. Patrick’s Day, to draw awareness to epilepsy. “I suggested a day for Purple Day for epilepsy” says Cassidy, “and I wanted it to go around the whole world.”
It has, in just five short years. Cassidy is the poster girl in Canada for epilepsy. She didn’t want to talk about epilepsy when she was younger, but her mother says once Cassidy revealed to her friends she has epilepsy, she changed. “She’s become stronger and more confident,” says Angela. “I’ve seen her get up in front of a room-full of complete strangers and read off a speech and talk to them and answer questions, pertaining to a person with epilepsy.”
The past-President of the Epilepsy Association of Nova Scotia Deirdre Floyd says “She had an idea that’s empowered individuals living with epilepsy in Canada and around the world to speak out, so people could relate to her message because they felt the same way.”
The Epilepsy Association says Cassidy is always coming up with ideas and awareness is growing worldwide. Floyd says “I receive e-mails from China, from Australia, for people that want to get involved in their communities.”
Cassidy says she has met politicians, celebrities, and even the Queen, when she was just 10-years-old. “I shook hands with the Queen, gave her flowers. We talked a little, and I also had a pretty long conversation with the Prince.”
Last year Cassidy was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee medal. The Purple Day act was also passed last year and she’ll speak at a reception in Ottawa on Tuesday. Her mother says “Cassidy will be thanking everybody for pushing the bill and helping her and everybody with epilepsy and helping her dream come true of getting awareness out.”
Cassidy is asking everyone to wear purple on that day to show support for people with epilepsy and teach people about it.
*Cassidy and her mother requested their last name not be used in this story.
Comments