Epilepsy Foundation Issues Statement in Response to Passenger Medical Incident on United Express Flight

LANDOVER, Md. – The Epilepsy Foundation understands that a passenger traveling on a United Express flight from Houston to Cincinnati this past weekend reportedly experienced seizures during the flight. First and foremost, we extend our thoughts and ongoing support to that passenger. We know that airlines are mindful of, and try to accommodate, people with medical challenges and disabilities. We cannot comment on this particular incident because we do not know the specifics. However, we applaud the passenger on that flight — a former firefighter according to reports — who came to the aid of the passenger having a seizure and stayed with them for the duration of the flight to ensure their safety.

This event reminds us all why it is important for everyone to learn how to recognize seizures and administer seizure first aid. Although, most seizures last only for a few minutes, it is very common to have a period of confusion and lack of awareness following a seizure, and to be unable to respond to directions or commands during that post-seizure time. In addition, seizures that occur in clusters may not be an emergency but could develop into one.

While people living with epilepsy may have special concerns during travel, a person with epilepsy does not pose any greater safety risk on a plane than a person without epilepsy. We encourage members of the epilepsy community to speak freely about their seizures and teach others what to do to help those experiencing seizures.

In partnership with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, the Epilepsy Foundation has regularly provided epilepsy education and training to law enforcement officers, emergency medical technicians, firefighters, and others. We also offer seizure first aid training to customer service/flight attendant personnel on all airline carriers, and have information available online about the rights of people with epilepsy related to air travel within the U.S. and internationally.

As the holiday travel season is upon us, the Epilepsy Foundation encourages everyone to plan in advance to manage seizures while traveling. Depending on the seizure type, preparing for travel may include the following:

• Discuss your travel plans with your doctor to get any relevant medical advice and recommended precautions.
• Work with your doctor to create a seizure response plan for travel and discuss the need to share it with transportation personnel if you are traveling alone.
• Speak with your doctor about adjusting dosage times for medications in different time zones.
• Depending on the type of travel and the length of your trip, you may need a note from your doctor about carrying medicines with you. It is important to have all your daily seizure medications and any prescribed rescue medications with you and readily available during your flight, train, boat or bus travel.
• Know the regulations for transporting medications (particularly when bringing liquid formulations on a plane).
• Share your seizure response plan with those who are traveling with you, and make it accessible to others by carrying a copy with you (paper or digital).
• Make plans in advance to avoid disruption in sleep schedules. If you know it is impossible for you to rest on a plane avoid long, overnight flights. Or speak with your doctor about a sleep medication to help you get enough rest while you travel.
• If you are traveling overseas include in your planning the identification of a clinic or hospital where you can find help if needed during your stay.
• Prepare ahead with the appropriate travel insurance in case you need medical care while traveling.

For more information about traveling with epilepsy, please visit epilepsy.com/travel. For information about seizure first aid, visit epilepsy.com/general-seizure-first-aid.

About Epilepsy

According to the World Health Organization, epilepsy is the most common serious brain disorder worldwide with no age, racial, social class, national or geographic boundaries. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) estimates that 3.4 million people in the United States are affected by epilepsy. It is the underlying tendency of the brain to produce seizures which are sudden abnormal bursts of electrical energy that disrupt brain functions.

About the Epilepsy Foundation

With a network of nearly 50 partners throughout the United States, the Foundation connects people to treatment, support and resources; leads advocacy efforts; funds innovative research and the training of specialists; and educates the public about epilepsy and seizure first aid. For more than five decades, the Epilepsy Foundation has shone a light on epilepsy to promote awareness and understanding, and to advocate for laws that matter to people with epilepsy, while also funding $65 million for epilepsy research and supporting 3,076 epilepsy investigators and specialists in their early careers. Over the past 17 years, in partnership with the CDC, the Epilepsy Foundation has helped to improve access to care for people with epilepsy, expanded its digital reach and online resources in homes across the country, and trained more than 500,000 school and community personnel in how to recognize seizures and administer Seizure First Aid. The Foundation has also assisted more than 108,000 people through its 24/7 Helpline in the past five years, and continues to focus on innovation, new therapies, community services, advocacy and education as key priorities. To learn more visit epilepsy.com or call 1.800.332.1000. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

# # #