What is the Securing Futures Program? The Securing Futures Program helps those most affected by epilepsy to live safely and independently in their community.

Program overview: Securing Futures is the first program of its kind in Canada that supports vulnerable adults with epilepsy gain the life skills and housing opportunities they need to live independently. This 18-month hybrid program is clientcentered and personally tailored to each individual’s strength and abilities so that they may live safely, with dignity, and have the greatest possible quality of life.

There are 40,000 people with epilepsy in this city. Most have seizures that are well controlled and lead healthy and productive lives. At best, they require the occasional helping hand, some loving support, and opportunities to succeed. Others, however, are not so fortunate. Their seizures are relentless, unforgiving, and they are left feeling that there is little hope of a future with friends, a job, and a place of their own. Cared for by parents who are tired and advancing in age, they are deeply concerned about how they will manage and what will become of them in the years ahead. This program is for them.

• Make a plan for the future • Develop critical skills of independence • Find a place to live best suited to one’s needs • Build a network of support • Tackle hurdles, one at a time

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Key program pillars:

Counselling & Support

Life Skills

Community Engagement

Housing

Counselling & Support: The Securing Futures program provides counselling and resources that are critical to building the social and emotional strength essential for independence both for the individual and their families.

Life Skills: Whether the participant is currently dependent or semi-dependent on their parents, there is a need for personalized coaching and life skills training to bolster confidence and prepare for independent living. The Securing Futures program focuses on seven life skills sectors which include: learning how to manage the household, personal finances, healthcare and relationships, self-care, preparing for work, and navigating the community.

Community Engagement: Being independent does not mean doing everything alone. The Securing Futures program helps build networks of caring, resource sharing, and community support that is critical to success.

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Housing: We’ve learned that there isn’t one single housing solution for all persons affected by epilepsy. Every individual requires a comprehensive housing plan specific to their needs and their families that considers all residential options. The Securing Futures program will make every effort to ensure each individual resides in an environment best suited to their preferences with the support of an occupational therapist.

Securing Futures Program at a glance:

70%

Adriana is 39 years old and currently lives with her father. She was Adriana

69% of Epilepsy Toronto adult members live below the poverty line.

of people living with epilepsy are between 18-64 years of age.

PEOPLE LIVING WITH EPILEPSY ARE

3X MORE LIKELY

TO BE UNEMPLOYED.

Adults living with epilepsy are

71%

more likely to have a mental health disorder.

90,000

people in Ontario live with epilepsy.

40,000 of those people live in Toronto.

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Measuring our success: • Clients report an improvement in self-esteem • Clients report learning new skills to live independently • Clients report feeling less isolated and alone • Clients report greater understanding of housing options • Clients find a place to live • Parents/caregivers of clients report feeling less stressed and more hopeful

“This holistic model helps each individual at their own pace gain independence and gather the supports they need to secure housing and reach their full potential.”

3 Year Plan • Increase the number of clients served by 90% • Include a full-time social worker, life skills facilitator and part-time occupational therapist to the team • Obtain a fully equipped training centre to teach independence and life skills • Support 75% of clients to live in their own homes • Offer life skills training modules across other agency programs • Develop an e-learning option of the program • Secure program funding to expand program capacity • Be a leader in life skills training for the epilepsy community

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Meet Adam Adam is 25 years old and lives with his mother and his sister. He has been living with autism since the age of three and he was diagnosed with epilepsy shortly after experiencing his first tonic-clonic seizure at the age of twelve. Adam’s severe allergies and asthma prevented him from being able to receive a service dog for assistance. He has faced many other challenges due to his epilepsy that used to make it difficult for him to envision his future. For example, Adam doesn’t experience ‘auras’, or warnings, before he is about to have a seizure. The random nature of his seizures made him and his family nervous about his safety and ability to live independently. Adam faced other setbacks when he started to experience forms of workplace discrimination due to his seizures. This discrimination ultimately prevented him from being able to develop the necessary skills he needed to enter the workplace. These issues left Adam wondering if there was any hope for him to be able to live independently. The Securing Futures Program has provided Adam and his family with a clear path forward and helped them see a bright and successful future for him. His participation in the program has provided him with the life skills and confidence he needed to start reaching his goals, like recently being accepted to college and start working towards his dream job.

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Meet Adriana Adriana was diagnosed as a child with cerebral palsy after her grandmother noticed she walked with a limp and with her hand by her chest. At 14 years old, Adriana had her first seizure, which was tonic-clonic. After trying different medications to find the right fit, she now has focal awareness seizures. Both Adriana and her family are concerned for her safety when living independently because she risks hurting herself during her seizures. For example, Adriana might spill hot coffee on herself or unknowingly walk into traffic. One night, after a heated discussion with her parents about their worries, Adriana searched the internet for epilepsy support groups. She knew there had to be other people with seizures who share similar experiences. Through this search, she came across Epilepsy Toronto and became involved in Securing Futures because she is aware her father will not be around forever and she will need to learn to live independently. Now, Adriana has gained confidence in her ability to live on her own. She learned new skills like how to cook, how to find a new doctor and how to open a bank account. Adriana learned how to advocate for herself and has discovered a new passion to educate others about disabilities.

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Meet Leslie Leslie is 44 years old and was diagnosed with epilepsy as a one-year-old. She experiences focal seizures on the right side of her brain, which affect the left side of her body. Leslie has been attending events at Epilepsy Toronto for many years. Originally hailing from the city, Leslie wound up living in the countryside for nearly 20 years. But since there weren’t many resources available out there for people with epilepsy, she and her parents moved back to the city in 2016. Because her seizures have improved, Leslie now lives in her own condo – in the same building complex as her parents – with support from a personal support worker. Leslie was enrolled in a life skills program, which stopped due to the pandemic. Then, Leslie was made aware of the Securing Futures program and thought she would be a good participant. Through Securing Futures, Leslie learned how to keep her living space neat and tidy. She also enjoys the recipes she has learned to make. She hopes to continue to live independently with confidence.

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60 years young First established in 1956 by a small group of concerned parents in the basement of a local community church, Epilepsy Toronto has evolved into the leading epilepsy support organization in the nation.

Core services: • Individual, family, and group counselling • Crisis intervention and community advocacy • Peer support • Education workshops, seminars, and conferences • Employment accommodation and job development • Public awareness campaigns

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468 Queen Street East , Suite 210 Toronto, Ontario M5A 1T7 Telephone: 416-964-9095 epilepsytoronto.org