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Epilepsy Services, News

Epilepsy Awareness Month Activities 2025

November 1–2 Ben Franklin Bridge Lit in PurpleTime: 5:00 PM – 2:00 AMThe Ben Franklin Bridge will shine bright in purple to honor Epilepsy Awareness Month and raise visibility for the 1 in 26 people who will be diagnosed with epilepsy in their lifetime. November 3 Webinar: Voices for Change — Sharing Solutions Through Epilepsy AdvocacyTime: 12:00 PMMobilizing communities, influencing policy, and empowering lives. This empowering and educational webinar explores the intersection of epilepsy, advocacy, and public policy. Federal and local advocates will discuss how collective voices can drive meaningful change in healthcare systems and legislation.Register Here November 5 Q4 JPAC MeetingQuarterly meeting for the Joint Patient Advocacy Coalition to align on current initiatives and upcoming advocacy efforts. November 10–11 Epilepsy Day at DisneylandA special weekend celebrating community, connection, and awareness at the happiest place on earth. Families and advocates come together to support one another and raise awareness for epilepsy. November 13 Webinar: Service & Seizures — Sharing Solutions for Veterans with EpilepsyTime: 12:00 PMHonoring experience, navigating care, and building support systems. This session highlights the unique challenges faced by veterans living with epilepsy and the resources available to support their journey toward health and independence.Register Here November 14–16 Light It Up Purple Across New JerseyLandmarks across the state—including the Trenton Bridge, New Hope/Lambertville, and Easton/Phillipsburg—will glow purple in recognition of Epilepsy Awareness Month. November 16 JPAC Top Golf EventAn engaging networking and fundraising event supporting patient advocacy and awareness initiatives. November 17 BioNJ Patient Advocacy SummitA statewide gathering bringing together advocates, industry leaders, and patient organizations to share insights and strengthen partnerships. November 18 Wear Purple for Epilepsy Awareness DayShow your support by wearing purple at the office or in your community to help spark conversations and raise awareness. November 20 Webinar: Caring Together — Sharing Solutions for Epilepsy CaregiversTime: 12:00 PMTools, support, and strategies for those who care. This session offers practical guidance, emotional support, and real-world solutions for caregivers of individuals with epilepsy.Register Here
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Caregivers, News

Celebrating Jodi DiPiazza’s Holiday Music Release

As we celebrate the holiday season, we’re happy to share something special from our community. Jodi DiPiazza recently reached an exciting milestone. She released her very first original song, The First Christmas Day, now available on streaming platforms. For Jodi and her family, this moment reflects years of dedication, creativity, and belief in her path as a musician. After graduating from Rollins College in 2025 with a Bachelor of Arts in Music, Jodi and her family returned to New Jersey to continue building her future. Music has long been central to Jodi’s life. She sings, composes, and writes her own songs, and spends much of her time studying and playing music. Her family has been her strongest supporters every step of the way, encouraging her talents and helping her pursue a life shaped around her passions. Alongside her family’s support, Jodi is connected to Caregivers of New Jersey through Support Coordination. Her Support Coordinator, Miholly, works closely with Jodi and her family to help plan next steps, align services, and support Jodi’s goals as she continues to grow as an artist and individual. When Jodi’s family shared news of her music release, they invited Miholly to help spread the word, reflecting the trusted partnership they have built together. Jodi’s journey illustrates what Support Coordination is designed to do. It is not about directing someone’s life or defining success for them. It is about listening, understanding what matters most, and helping put the right supports in place so individuals can move forward on their own terms. For Jodi, that means continuing to develop her music, share her work with others, and pursue opportunities that reflect who she is. We’re proud to celebrate Jodi and this important milestone and to support individuals as they pursue meaningful, self-directed lives. Listen to The First Christmas Day and support Jodi’s work: Apple Music Spotify Deezer Follow Jodi on Instagram Jodi DiPiazza is an American musician, songwriter, composer, vocalist, and autism advocate. Diagnosed with autism before the age of two, she is a musical prodigy with absolute pitch. Jodi began playing piano at age three and can hear and reproduce music by ear. She also plays guitar, clarinet, and drums, and performs across multiple genres.
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Wheelchair accessible vehicle modifications for New Jersey residents
Family Resource Network, News, Resources

Supporting Accessibility for Individuals Living With Disabilities Across New Jersey

The spirit of giving is often felt in the moments when people see a need and choose to act. This season, Family Resource Network is sharing a story that reflects how partnership and practical support can change the everyday life of a family living with disability.  When Deborah’s mother, Fanny, reached out through PerformCare, she was hoping for help that would make transportation safer for her eight-year-old daughter, who uses a wheelchair. Without accessible transportation, even routine trips had become increasingly difficult.   For Deborah and her family, the challenge was immediate and physical. “Before we got the van, we would lift Debbie out of the wheelchair and put her in her car seat,” shared her mother, Fanny Arana. “Then we would have to lift up the wheelchair and fit it in our car. It was completely exhausting, and I was constantly getting injured, so this has changed everything for us.”  Family Resource Network partnered with FTMobility, its installation partner, to assess modification options. During that assessment, it was determined that the family’s existing vehicle was not compatible with available wheelchair-accessible lift systems. The family was faced with the possibility of purchasing a different vehicle, an option that was not financially feasible.  “At FTMobility, we see firsthand how critical accessible transportation is for families,” said Nicole Bryson, President of FTMobility. “When it became clear that the family’s vehicle could not be modified and purchasing a new one wasn’t financially possible, we knew the right next step was to reach out and find a way to help ensure Deborah had a safe and reliable way to travel.”  FTMobility donated a 2019 Dodge Grand Caravan, and Family Resource Network coordinated and funded the installation of a motorized wheelchair ramp and adaptive equipment through its Assistive Technology and Home and Vehicle Modifications Program. This ensured Deborah could travel safely and independently without placing an additional financial burden on her family.  “We are so privileged to be chosen to receive this amazing donation of a car that we needed so badly,” Fanny said. “This has been a huge blessing that we will be forever grateful for. We are so honored by this, and our lives have been completely changed by this experience.”  The fully accessible van, equipped with a motorized ramp, was presented as a surprise to the Arana family at the Spring Lake Hope Foundation Holiday Luncheon, bringing together the family and partners, including FTMobility and Family Resource Network, who helped make the project possible.  “When a family reaches out for help, they’re usually carrying more than one challenge at a time,” said Liza Gundell, President and CEO of Family Resource Network. “This story reflects what’s possible when partners listen, collaborate, and prioritize a child’s safety while easing the everyday strain on a family.”  Stories like Deborah’s reflect the work of Family Resource Network’s Assistive Technology and Home and Vehicle Modifications Program and the organization’s commitment to ensuring no one has to navigate the challenges of living with disability alone. 
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