National Art Exhibit Featuring Works by Epilepsy Patients Visits Doernbecher

Health Care

WHAT:       Oregon Health & Science University Doernbecher Children's Hospital will host "Expressions of Courage: Through the Years," a traveling exhibit that features a collection of award-winning artwork created by children and adults with epilepsy.

"These works are a glimpse into the wonderful and dynamic minds of people with epilepsy," said Colin Roberts, M.D., director of the OHSU Doernbecher Pediatric Epilepsy Program. "The show is challenging, inspiring and lots of fun. These artists, young and old, share the creative spark of many great figures whose lives have been touched by epilepsy, including Michelangelo, Van Gogh and De Chirico."

The "Expressions of Courage" national art contest was initially created to provide a way for children with epilepsy to express themselves through art. Response to the program was so positive that it was expanded to include people of all ages. A total of 21 works will be hung in OHSU Doernbecher. Contest winners are categorized into three age groups: children 12 and younger; teens 13 to 17; and adults 18 and older.

WHEN:       July and August -- Media interested in covering the exhibit should contact Tamara Hargens-Bradley, 503-494-8231; hargenst@ohsu.edu

WHERE:    OHSU Doernbecher Children's Hospital, 3181 S.W. Sam Jackson Park Road, Portland,

DETAILS:  "Expressions of Courage" is sponsored by Ortho-McNeil Neurologics®, Division of Ortho-McNeil-Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc, in partnership with the Epilepsy Foundation. The exhibit, selected by curators from the Society for the Arts in Healthcare, represents a collection of pieces from hundreds of winning entries, all of which illustrate "both the profound effect that epilepsy can have on a human life and the courage many show in facing it." For more information, visit www.expressionsofcourage.com

About Epilepsy

Epilepsy is a neurological disorder that causes abnormal electric discharges in the brain, temporarily disrupting normal brain function and causing seizures.More than 3 million Americans have some form of epilepsy, and approximately 200,000 new cases of seizure disorders and epilepsy are diagnosed each year.Epilepsy can develop at any time, but young children and the elderly are particularly susceptible. Medications help control seizures in many patients. Additional therapies offered at OHSU and OHSU Doernbecher, including specialized diets, brain stimulation and epilepsy surgery, can help some patients become seizure-free. For information about the OHSU Doernbecher Pediatric Epilepsy Program, visit: http://www.ohsu.edu/health/meet-our-staff/doctors/doctor.cfm?id=10752


Tamara Hargens-Bradley
Senior Director, Strategic Communications
OHSU
503-494-8231