55,000 people in Bulgaria live with epilepsy

Iconic buildings in various cities across Bulgaria will be illuminated in purple tonight in solidarity with people living with epilepsy. Today is Purple Day— dedicated to raising awareness of the condition, which is among the five most common neurological disorders, reported BNR’s correspondent Elena Beykova.

Around 55,000 Bulgarians live with epilepsy, a condition that may subside in childhood or persist throughout life. Many of them keep it hidden to avoid being rejected, explained Veska Sabeva, Chair of the Association of Parents with Children with Epilepsy Bulgaria. People forgo disability benefits to start working. Children have seizures at school, with parents keeping teachers uninformed to avoid the stigma of the child being labeled as ill. There is also a shortage of medications to control the condition once patients reach adulthood, which has led the association to take legal action against the state, Veska Sabeva added.

Edited by Miglena Ivanova

Translated by Kostadin Atanasov