Actress Fatima Sana Shaikh has taken to social media to raise awareness about epilepsy on Purple Day, a global initiative observed on March 26th every year. In an Instagram video shared by Mumbai-based NGO Samman Association, the 31-year-old actress, who herself suffers from epilepsy, urged people with the condition to speak out and seek professional help.
In the video, which has garnered over 14,000 views so far, Fatima advises epilepsy patients to take their medication on time, visit the doctor, and talk about their condition with those around them. She acknowledges that people may not understand the condition, but stresses the importance of educating others on how to handle epilepsy attacks and administer first aid measures.
Fatima, who was diagnosed with epilepsy while training for her debut film Dangal in 2016, believes that patients have a responsibility to raise awareness about the condition. “It’s unfair to expect the person before me to understand a condition they know nothing about in the first place,” she said in the video. “So it’s our responsibility to tell everyone around us how to handle epilepsy attacks, what first aid measures they can administer, and what the condition is itself.”
The actress recently wrapped shooting for Sam Bahadur, a film in which she plays former prime minister Indira Gandhi alongside Vicky Kaushal. She will also be seen in Dhak Dhak, directed and co-written by Tarun Dudeja.
Epilepsy is a neurological disorder that affects millions of people worldwide, characterized by recurrent seizures that can vary in frequency and severity. While there is no cure for epilepsy, medication and other treatments can help manage symptoms and improve quality of life. Purple Day was created in 2008 to raise awareness about epilepsy and reduce the stigma associated with the condition.
