Hello, my name is Stacey Chillemi and I am the author of this children’s book, “My Daddy Has Epilepsy.” I am writing this piece to you to explain what the book is about and how this children’s book can help you and your family understand, cope and not fear the disorder known as epilepsy. In the year 2000, my husband and I had moved into a new neighborhood with my 2 sons, and my daughter. All three children were toddlers at the time. Even though I developed epilepsy at the age of 5 my kids had never witness me having a seizure. One day I was outside my home and I had an aura I felt a seizure beginning to evolve and before I new it I was having the seizure in front of my children for the first time. My children were scared and even though I had explained my disorder many times they were still a bit confused about what epilepsy is, what happens and what to do if someone is having a seizure. You can explain what a seizure is, but honestly to see someone have a seizure, especially for a child can be scary and very dramatizing. After the seizure my children were very scared, confused, and worried about their mommy and they had many questions to ask afterwards. I tried to explain everything to them in simplistic terms, so they could understand epilepsy better, but everything didn’t seem to click. They were still confused, scared, and worried. They wanted to help me, but they didn’t know how. So one day I sat down wrote a story about the day I had a seizure. I explained what epilepsy is, and what to do if someone has a seizure. My goal was to educate and try to explain to my children why they shouldn’t fear epilepsy and seizures. When someone understands epilepsy and they know what to do you’ll notice that the fear begins to disappear and the situation (having the seizures) is treated with more confidence and children are able to cope with their love one’s disorder better. The story and the illustrations I created helped my children understand my disorder completely. And they’re not afraid of my seizures anymore. They know what to do and the fear of their mommy having seizures has gone away. It’s a part of mommy. It’s a part of her life and now they have learned to accept it. In fact my daughter many times has introduced as, “Hi this is my mommy and she has epilepsy!” I put many epilepsy resources in the back to help educate you and your children. Epilepsy is not going to stop me from enjoying life. In my eyes, I am winning the battle because I have not even up on life. I am determined to live a happy, healthy and productive life with my family and friends. Thank you, Mrs. Stacey Chillemi

Excellent book


Stacey Chillemi is 32 years old, a mother of three, a wife and writer. Her journey and reason for being is defined each day by the happiness in her children’s eyes and the people with epilepsy she has helped through her writing.
By Jenna Martin, Senior Editor
www.epilepsy.com


educational

I found this book very insightful. Although not having epilepsy myself, I think this book is a good way to explain to children about epilepsy. I, myself, learned quite a bit about the disorder from reading it. Being prepared and knowledgeable is the best way to help someone with epilepsy. This book helps children become prepared.

very easy read


I found this book a very easy read, which is important in trying to explain epilepsy to children. To educate children of the disorder is something that might seem like an difficult task, something thats pushed off to the side for a later date. However, with this book, its a task that doesn't look so daunting. You can explain epilepsy to your children in language that they understand.

BY ALESHA WILLIAMS
STAFF WRITER


Manalapan resident Stacey Chillemi, 33, understands the difficulties inherent in growing up with epilepsy.

Near-death experiences in her early adulthood, such as having a seizure while driving, impressed upon Chillemi the seriousness of her condition.

"My fiance, now my husband, was in the car," Chillemi said. "I realized I could have hurt myself as well as him. I had to accept the fact that I had epilepsy and not hide it from anybody."

Chillemi said she turned to libraries and bookstores to search for answers to her questions about her disorder.

"At that time, all the books about epilepsy were written in medical terminology, so if you were not educated in the medical field, you had no idea what they were trying to explain," Chillemi said.

Chillemi said she published an article asking people with epilepsy to write to her with their stories. She received hundreds of letters from across the United States and Canada and interviewed about 400 people, she said.

"We were all going through the same issues and emotions," Chillemi said. "I learned, "Hey, I can't feel sorry for myself — I need to do something about it, and try to help others.' "

And so began Chillemi's career as an author, launched in 2000. She since has written eight books about epilepsy, about life and about love, including her latest, "Epilepsy and Pregnancy: What Every Woman Should Know," co-authored by Dr. Blanca Vasques (Demos), due to be published in 2005.

"Basically, in my books I try to focus on trying to help people understand first of all what the disorder is, how to accept it and teach the people in their lives to understand it so it doesn't tear a family apart, how to love themselves and get on with their lives so they can live a healthy and productive life with the disorder," Chillemi said.

In spite of living for 27 years with a condition that keeps some reclusive and anti-social, Chillemi has managed to live by those ideals. She volunteered as a mentor with the Epilepsy Foundation of New Jersey and in 2002 won the organization's Outstanding Volunteer Award. She is a featured speaker at schools, organizations and political events and also spoke before Congress with the Epilepsy Foundation in 2004 on behalf of people with epilepsy, she said.

Today, Chillemi lives in Manalapan with her husband Michael, 33, and three children, Michael, 6, Alexis, 4, and Anthony, 2, and said she often is touched by e-mails and letters from readers who say that her books have helped change their lives.

"It's hard to believe that something you wrote helped someone like that," Chillemi said. "It makes me feel very good to give people encouragement, hope, to help them realize that they are somebody — that they all have a meaning in life and just have to find that destination."

For more information about Chillemi's books, visit www.authorsden.com/staceydchillemi

'Life deals us many hard that we often don't expect. I admire the fact that someone like Stacey Chillemi was thrown a curve ball that may have knocked many of us down to the point where many of us may not have wanted to get back up, but she did. It wasn't easy but she possesses a determined spirit that won't let her give up. For that reason Stacey will go far and achieve whatever dreams she sets her mind to accomplish.'Della Crew

I am an H.O.P.E. Mentor, for the Epilepsy Foundation. I have spoken at different events for schools, organizations, political events, I spoke in front of Congress in Washington and anywhere my help is needed to educate people about epilepsy. I was on four talk shows. The interviews focused on the importance of understanding what epilepsy is, how to help someone having a seizure and giving people with epilepsy encouragement and hope for the future.

I have been on radio stations discussing epilepsy and I have appeared in many newspapers all over New Jersey such as, The Leader, Belleville Post and the Star Ledger. In addition, on June 26, 2002, I was honored an award by the Epilepsy Foundation of New Jersey for Outstanding Volunteer Award.

I have received awards in my achievements and certificates in recognition for outstanding efforts in trying to improve society. I have been an active participant in organizations and activities. I have been a role model to many individuals.

I have written many published articles. I have appeared three times on News 12 on the talk show New Jersey Women and has had articles written about her efforts to help people with epilepsy. I have contributed time in helping people with epilepsy and making society more aware of the disorder. .

I have a Associate Degree in business, a BA in marketing and a minor in advertising. I have worked for NBC, Dateline, Channel 4 News, and other large companies. And I have always had a strong background in Business and Marketing and I have a strong business background. Womans World Magazine just interviewed me for an article on all my accomplishments.

Living life with epilepsy can be a colossal struggle. But, if you are Stacey Chillemi, it is a challenge and an opportunity to help others.

Stacey Chillemi is 32 years old, a mother of three, a wife and writer. Her journey and reason for being is defined each day by the happiness in her children’s eyes and the people with epilepsy she has helped through her writing. “Through this experience with epilepsy I have learned to accept my limitations and to change the way I look at things. Through my writing I am able to help others and just knowing I’ve helped is enough of a reward,” said Chillemi.

How it Began

At five years of age, Chillemi contracted encephalitis from what doctors’ surmise began as an ear infection. For four days she lay in a coma and doctors were unsure of whether she would suffer from paralysis as well as the extent of the brain damage. Fortunately, she recovered from her bout with encephalitis with no paralysis. However, she was left with epilepsy. Since her diagnosis, 27 years ago, Chillemi has had seizures ranging in severity from mild seizures in her sleep to tonic-clonic seizures.



Living with Limitations

As a mother of three and a woman with epilepsy, Chillemi is realistic about her limitations, “Having epilepsy and being a mom is difficult at times because I worry that if I have a seizure and I am unable to recover fast enough, that my kids will suffer,” said Chillemi. In fact, the entire time Chillemi has been a mother she has had only one tonic-clonic seizure resulting in serious injury. According to Chillemi, she was walking the dog with her children when she felt a seizure coming on. She immediately instructed the children to go inside and wait downstairs for her. Following the seizure, Chillemi realized she had suffered a head injury and reached out to a neighbor for help. After the tonic-clonic seizure Chillemi decided to write a children’s book, called “My Mommy Has Epilepsy”. Her goal was to help children understand epilepsy in an age appropriate way as well as to help dispel some of the fear she had witnessed her own children experience. “I don’t want my children to get nervous or to worry about my seizures and the tonic- clonic seizure really motivated me to write a children’s book to help them and other kids cope and understand epilepsy.”

She admits she is also limited by not being able to drive, but attributes her ability to ask for help when she needs it as one more lesson learned. “At first it was difficult to rely on other people to drive the children and me places. I felt bad asking family and friends. But, now I’ve accepted my limitations and accepted who I am.”

Wisdom for Women

Chillemi cautions women with epilepsy to monitor their stress level. “Don’t try to accomplish too much. Do as much as you can and remember to set realistic goals and to reward yourself each day.” She also believes that in order to live with epilepsy and maintain a positive attitude it is important to focus on one’s self. “ Don’t look at what other people can do, only focus on yourself and your abilities because if you constantly compare, then you are adding to your stress level, which leads to being more physically drained and ultimately leaves you open to experience more seizures.” She advises women with epilepsy to educate themselves about their epilepsy and believes knowledge helps alleviate stress as well, “Women need to consult with their doctor, but not rely on their doctor for all of their information. In order to really feel empowered it is essential to take the initiative to learn all you can about epilepsy.”

Iacovos Kyriakides
Enfield, Middlesex
yags45@hotmail.com

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Summary


Highly Gifted, creative, energetic and enthusiastic Illustrator and Artist with experience in creating highly compelling computer-drawing and paint illustrations for various media to explain or adorn print or spoken word; designing fine art and illustrations in all areas. Iacovos Kyriakides enjoys creating illustrations from Greek Mythology and other tales of fantasy. Capable of designing graphics and advertising for print and online media as well as maintaining websites and designing monthly print/online newsletters and any area where my artist abilities bring me.
• Sound ability to design web and print media.
• Design illustrations for books
• Uncommon ability and experience in the use of graphic design software.
• Excellent knowledge and ability to use Flash, and HTML, and related Web design software/tools.
• Unmatchable degree of creativity as well as technical production skills.
• Excellent verbal communication skills including the ability to convey ideas and information clearly, concisely and persuasively.
• Flexibility, good judgment and attention to detail essential.
• Remarkable entrepreneurial spirit and strong desire to participate in a high-energy, motivated team
• Solid Project management experience.
• Excellent knowledge and use of Quark, Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, Netscape Navigator, and Print Scanners.
Education
He studied Art and Design at Barnet College and Digital Modeling
and Animation at the University of Hertfordshire. Iacovos Kyriakides portfolio displays a wide range of illustrations and conceptual designs from various projects, his professional career




Professional Experience

Enfield, Middlesex 2006 - Present

Graphic Artist
• Illustrator in design process from concept to execution; including layouts, updating font/ clip art libraries, and copy writing for ads, product design, and any other requested marketing materials.
• Work with Authors.
• Study layouts, proposed illustrations sketches, and other related materials in order to become familiar with designing the children’s book, “My Daddy Has Epilepsy.”
• Involve in the creative process to determine style, technique, and medium best suited to produce desired results, conforming with reproduction requirements, or following specific instructions concerning these variables.
• Participate in the creative process to formulate concept and render illustration and detail from models, sketches, memory, and imagination.
• Discuss illustrations at various stages of completion, making changes as necessary.
• Select type, draw lettering and lay out materials.
• Draw or design illustrations for children’s book.
Accomplishments
• Illustrated the Children’s Book, “My Daddy Has Epilepsy,” for Author Stacey Chillemi who has written 11 books.