Did you know that The World Health Organization recognizes Epilepsy as a significant public health concern, estimating that more than 50 million people worldwide live with the condition? That's a lot of people! Purple Pumpkin Project was created to raise awareness about this condition and help raise funds to find the cure and support people impacted.
We encourage you to decorate your pumpkin purple and display it at your front door to help us raise awareness about Epilepsy and create a wave of knowledge within your community and beyond.
When someone asks, "Why is your pumpkin purple?" how will you answer?
Our pumpkin is purple because a very loved boy Yaroslav is affected by seizures daily, and we keep hoping that modern medicine will soon find a cure to help him fight back this monster. Meanwhile, our society can make a few adaptations to include our Soybean in the mainstream lifestyle.
The Origin Of The Purple Pumpkin Project
One Sunday, Ron Lamontagne was brainstorming ideas on how to spread epilepsy awareness and help his son. His youngest son was diagnosed with Epilepsy in 2009 at the age of four. Since the diagnosis, Ron has seen how Epilepsy can impact one's life. It has interfered with the child's development. Moreover, the misperceptions and fear about Epilepsy have affected relationships in the family.
That Sunday, while brainstorming, Ron passed by a pumpkin patch field, which sparked an idea. For Halloween decorations, kids carve pumpkins, and if he were to paint his pumpkins purple, the colour chosen to represent Epilepsy, that would spark interest and questions: "Why is your pumpkin purple?" This allows Ron to educate people about Epilepsy.
Epilepsy Today
While some families and individuals are outspoken on the condition like we are through the social media platform of Instagram: @storyofonesoybean. Many people choose to keep this condition private, many for fear of the stigma associated with Epilepsy.
While this issue is hidden behind closed doors, it doesn't exist within the realm of the world. Thus, there is no need to solve it and allocate funds for research and community support for affected individuals. There is no reason to put policies in place and no reason to adopt our society to include people who struggle with Epilepsy.
Every story is individual and different. Thus if you see a purple pumpkin displayed at the porch, make sure to ask: "Why is your pumpkin purple?"
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