Dominic P. Tremblay

I taught the kids some of the secrets of making magic, including the very popular “cup and ball” magic trick, in which balls trapped beneath upturned cups “disappear.” They also learned how to make a handkerchief disappear, and how to amaze their audience with tricks involving simple items such as calculators, liquids, balls and coins. It was wonderful to perform in front of such a responsive and appreciative audience, and to know that I was helping to create a memorable experience for the kids and their parent.

While the kids were thrilled to discover some of the insider secrets of performing magic, they weren’t the only ones learning new things.

Participating in the retreat gave me an opportunity to learn more about epilepsy and its effect on children. It’s a condition that affects Canadians of all ages, nations and ethnicities: in fact, one person in 100 has it. As well as coping with the exhausting physical effects of unpredictable and often scary seizures, young people with epilepsy may have to deal with short term memory issues and the side effects of medication. They can also experience embarrassment and social stigma that leads to self-esteem issues and difficulty making friends and socializing. It’s a lot for a young person to cope with—but as educators, we can help by taking the time to understand the challenges and help children overcome them.

For instance, teachers need to be aware that seizures can affect a child’s memory and ability to concentrate and learn new things. Teachers may need to work around memory gaps or postpone a test until the child feels more alert. They may also need to increase repetition and direct instruction when they feel the child is having difficulty understanding or retaining new information. Together, we can help these children reach their full potential!

I’m honoured to have been invited to participate in this worthwhile event and make a connection with such an amazing, courageous group of kids!