A statement from our board of directors:

We are horrified by the recent killing of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbury, as well as the vandalism and violence that have surrounded the peaceful protests across this nation. We stand alongside the Epilepsy Foundation of America and the American Epilepsy Society with communities of color in the fight against racism, and hope that with our advocacy partners, we too can be the change.   

Inequalities affect our community in profound ways. Children anywhere on the epilepsy surgery journey come from a broad range of diverse backgrounds; however, some members of these groups experience discrepancies in health care. This includes African Americans, Hispanics, non-English speakers, and patients of low socioeconomic status. African American and Hispanic patients are less likely to undergo surgical treatment, are more likely to be treated in the emergency department with seizures, are less likely to receive anti-epileptic drugs, and less likely to receive specialized care compared to white patients. 

In schools,  African-American students with disabilities are disciplined at a higher rate, and more harshly, than their white peers. They are two times more likely to be categorized as “Emotionally Disturbed” in Individual Education Plans, be separated from their general education peers, and attend racially segregated schools with fewer resources. 

The mission of the Brain Recovery Project is simple: we help children reach their full potential after brain surgery to stop seizures. We are committed to diversity, inclusion, and equity both in our workplace as well as in the programs and services we provide to our community.  We believe that black lives matter. In the months ahead, we will work with communities of color to address how we can help fix the inequities that impact the children we serve.