Sunshine Summer Camp Helps Children with Epilepsy

Project HOPE, in partnership with UCB, launched the Rainbow Bridge-HOPE and Care for Children with Epilepsy Program in March 2013.  The program not only seeks to standardize care and treatment methods, but it also aims to help families overcome disease hurdles and educates the public to reduce the social stigma associated with epilepsy in China.

As part of this program, the two-day Sunshine Summer Camp took place at the Shanghai Children’s Medical Center (SCMC) in July 2014.  Sixteen families of children with epilepsy attended, including 14 children.

The program included a lecture on long-term management of epilepsy by Dr. Wang Zhiping, Director of Neurology at the Shanghai Children’s Medical Center, followed by several of the parents telling hopeful stories about their children with epilepsy.

While the parents met with the specialty health care professionals and exchanged knowledge, the children participated in many enjoyable activities such as

A psychological class to improve the confidence of both parents and children with epilepsy

•  A visit to the Shanghai Ocean Aquarium, which demonstrated that the children could see sharks, jellyfish, etc. and play like other children
• A guessing game, where the children used the body language to describe an animal and the rest of the attendees had to figure out what kind of animal it was
• A hug with Elmo, the Sesame Street character, where the thrilled children were able to hug and take pictures with Elmo
• An award ceremony, where each child received an award of special stationery prepare by Project HOPE

The Sunshine Summer Camp is a great example of how Project HOPE is helping children with epilepsy in China.  Not only are we providing resources for parents and children, but we have already trained more than 830 doctors and nurses in the best possible treatment regimens for children with epilepsy.  There is hope for children in China with epilepsy to live life the same as those without epilepsy.