Medical/Health and Wellness Resources
Epilepsy and Seizures 24/7 Helpline
The Epilepsy Foundation’s Epilepsy and Seizures 24/7 Helpline has trained information specialists to help answer your questions about epilepsy and seizures and provide you with help, hope, support, guidance and access to national and local resources. You can access the helpline in several ways:
- Online Help Form
- Phone (English): (800) 332-1000
- Phone (en español): (866) 748-8008
The helpline serves people living with epilepsy, caregivers and friends of someone with epilepsy and anyone who wants to learn more about epilepsy. It can provide information about current epilepsy treatment and alternative therapies, medication questions, support groups, seizure first aid, emotional support and more.
Epilepsy Foundation of Greater Chicago
The Epilepsy Foundation of Greater Chicago is a not-for-profit organization serving 44 counties in Illinois. It offers education, advocacy and case management to people living with epilepsy, their families and the communities in which they live.
The foundation’s client services include case management, programs for children and adults, epilepsy centers, support groups, employment, medications, and driving and transportation.
Epilepsy Foundation of Greater Southern Illinois
The Epilepsy Foundation of Greater Southern Illinois aims to lead the fight to overcome the challenges of living with epilepsy and to accelerate therapies to stop seizures, find cures and save lives. Its programs include epilepsy and seizure support services, home-based services, residential services, epilepsy education programs, support groups, Camp Roehr, a scholarship and more.
Its website also provides resources, including a New to Epilepsy Guide, a seizure calendar, a Professionals and Caregiver Guide, and more.
For questions or more information, please visit the Contact Page for the Southern Illinois Region Office and the Epilepsy Foundation of Greater Southern Illinois for coverage information and phone numbers.
Epilepsy Foundation of Greater Southern Illinois’ Camp Roehr
The Epilepsy Foundation of Greater Southern Illinois (EFGSI) hosts an annual, overnight camp for children and teenagers with epilepsy. Camp Roehr provides campers ages 6 to 17 with seven days of fun, building friendships and learning about living with epilepsy. Camp registration typically begins in mid-April. Participant requirements include:
- Living in Illinois or surrounding states
- Having a primary diagnosis of epilepsy and well-controlled seizures
- Being able to care for their own basic needs and ready for an overnight camp experience
Equestrian Connection in Lake Forest
Equestrian Connection provides therapy programs for children and adults with mental, emotional and physical challenges and disabilities. Programs include hippotherapy, therapeutic riding, art therapy, job training and more. Class instructors are clinically licensed occupational and physical therapists, experienced clinicians and instructors, and trained volunteers.
Programs are available in individual and group settings. For more information, call Equestrian Connection at (847) 615 8696.
Every Step of the Way Resource Center for Adults with Intellectual Disabilities
Every Step of the Way (ESW) takes a hands-on, person-centered approach to providing support, networking opportunities and resources for individuals with mild to profound intellectual disabilities ages 20 and up and their parents/caregivers. ESW seeks to create a community where parents/caregivers in Chicago can:
- Find resources for recreation, education, health (mental and physical), social and daily living skills, and behavioral intervention services
- Network with each other
- Brainstorm and collaborate to create programming and develop opportunities for their adult children
- Advocate and network to accommodate the needs of their adult child and the adult children in the ESW community
Eviction Help for Illinois Residents
Eviction Help Illinois is a non-profit organization providing free legal aid, mediation services, and connections to other resources including rental assistance to increase housing stability.
Exceptional Children’s Charities
Exceptional Children’s Charities provides resources to benefit exceptional children with special needs in Chicago’s Southland.
The charity can provide financial support to supply wheelchairs, stand-up chairs, medical supplies, special learning tools and adaptive technology devices to foster learning and improve day-to-day life. Assistance can also be provided for medical and dental bills that are not covered by insurance or public aid.
FacingDisability provides stories, hundreds of paralysis resources and up-to-date information on spinal cord injury. The organization works with medical experts from major hospitals, universities and rehabilitation institutions nationwide to provide insight and inspiration. FacingDisability resource topics include:
- Disability advocates
- Family and caregiver support
- Assistive technology
- Financial assistance and government programs
- Education and employment
Extensive information on health care policy for all ages, lots on Medicaid, SCHIP, helpful consumer publications and fact sheets.