Talk about taking your message to the street. The group Enlighten - Action for Epilepsy, in conjunction with the Equal Opportunities Commission, is using a big banner and a double-decker bus to call for equality for sufferers of the condition. As part of the awareness effort, the bus, emblazoned with the words 'C.A.R.E. about Epilepsy' (Create Awareness, Re-establish Equality), is being driven around town all week. It started at the Central ferry piers yesterday and cruised across Hong Kong Island, stopping occasionally to give out brochures.
'There are thousands of people and buses on the street in Hong Kong every day,' said the charity's executive director, Orla Gilroy. 'We want the bus to make noise and raise as much awareness for epilepsy as we can. We want people to stop and look into our campaign, ask more questions about epilepsy so we can give them answers.'
It is estimated that 60,000 residents of the city suffer from epilepsy, but Gilroy thinks the actual number is much higher, possibly more than 100,000.
'In Cantonese, the translation for epilepsy is similar to someone crazy or mad, therefore when these people look for help, they are often discriminated against. We've also heard that some people were removed from their job unfairly because they had a seizure.'
The bus will continue to spread the facts all week. It will be on Hong Kong Island again today, and will tour Kowloon tomorrow and Thursday. It will be in the New Territories on Friday.
