Fight Ignorance—Win Prizes (NAPSA)—Many young Americans are entering a contest in which everybody wins. All entrants get special T-shirts and the chance to help educate their fellow teens and ‘tweens on an important subject. Called “Get The WORD Out!,” the contest asks entrants to express their feelings about something just about everybody wants: respect. It’s part of the Epilepsy Foundation’s campaign to increase awarenessof the condition—sometimes called seizure disorders— and to encourage better treatment of young people withit. Manycelebrities, such as Garcelle Beauvais-Nilon of “NYPD Blue” and “The Jamie Foxx Show,” are encouraging young people to learn more about epilepsy and to treat those who have it as they would treat anyoneelse. The contest is designed to help. Contestants between 10 and 18 can send a poem, an essay, a song, a drawing, a photograph or a spoken recording expressing their ideas about respect. You can choose your voice. The Foundation respects the fact that everyone hashis/her ownstyle and talents. You can find the best way to do your thing. Your contest entry should explore your thoughts and observations about acceptance, tolerance and respect, particularly as it relates to young people. Entrants will be judged by how imaginative and creative the entry is; how well it articulates the spirit of the campaign; how effective it communicates its message; and how well the entrant used the selected medium. Teens Need To Know Nearly half the teens surveyed have not even heard or read about epilepsy. Only 20 percent know someone whohas epilepsy. Overtwo-thirds would not know whatto do if someone hada seizure. Nearly fourin 10 think kids with epilepsyarelikely to get picked on or bullied more than otherkids. Nearly a third ore not sure whether they'd tell their friends if they had epilepsy. Forty-four percent are not sure if they would date someonewith epilepsy. Forty-three percent are unsure whether people with epilepsy should have children. Nearly half think epilepsy may be contagious. Morethan half say people die from seizures and nearly onein five say epilepsyis a mentalillness. Neitheris true. @ Every entrant gets a “Get the WORD Out!” T-shirt. Winners in the 10 to 18 and 14 to 18 age groups get digital cameras. Some entries may appear on the Foundation’s Web site and four Grand Prize winners get a home imaging kit with a digital camera, printer and more. Entry forms and more information are at www.entitledtores pect.org. All entries must be received by midnight, November 30, 2004. To learn more about epilepsy, see www.epilepsyfoundation.org.
