medikidz - epilepsy explained for kids (animated)

[Bernard]

Designed for children from 10 to 15 years old, the animation explains epilepsy in a way that is imaginative, engaging and easy to understand. Developed by a team of doctors, Medikidz does not try to 'sugarcoat' epilepsy. Rather, the information provided will empower children with the knowledge they need to take ownership of their epilepsy, providing them with skills for self management, while taking away their fear of the unknown.

http://www.epilepsyandmychild.com/medikidz.html

This site was created by the EFA, the video was created by Medikidz Limited. The video is 18.5 minutes long.

Here's a 2 minute sample showing what the video is like (the sample is not from the epilepsy video - they have a series of videos covering different medical issues apparently):



More about medikidz:

...
The 'Medikidz' are a gang of 5 larger-than-life superheroes from outer space, which are each specialists in different parts of the body. The characters are designed to be fun and appealing to children in order to be able to entertain, as well as educate them about serious medical issues. They are destined to become characters with whom children can relate, and befriend.

The Medikidz characters live on 'Mediland' - a living, moving planet shaped just like the human body. The children are taught about their own body by going on a personal tour through Mediland. Medikidz is designed specifically for children: therefore we will speak their language, at their level, via comic books, games and an online virtual world.

Medikidz Limited was founded in New Zealand in 2006 and incorporated as a UK company in May 2008. Dr Kim Chilman-Blair is the Company Founder. She trained originally as a doctor, worked for some time in Paediatric Orthopaedic Surgery and has worked for over 8 years as an academic medical writer for Adis International (NZ), and Prous Science (Barcelona, Spain). Dr Kate James is the Co-Founder of Medikidz. She qualified as a doctor in 2004, working in the specialties of Paediatrics, Emergency Medicine and Oncology. She also worked as a Medical Research Fellow (Medical Research Institute of NZ) authoring a number of published journal articles.
...

http://www.medikidz.com/aboutus

[Nakamova]

Seems like a great idea, although I'm a bit disappointed in the stereotyping (the exaggerated bodies of the superheroes; the woman who is all about shoes and shopping; the "brain" who is skinny and wears glasses). It would be nice if they could be educational on ALL fronts.

[PhylisFeinerJohnson]

Thanks Bernard!

I wish I knew about this in time for the school health fair next week where I'm representing the local epilepsy foundation! (One hand doesn't know what the other is doing!!!)

[epileric]

Seems like a great idea, although I'm a bit disappointed in the stereotyping (the exaggerated bodies of the superheroes; the woman who is all about shoes and shopping; the "brain" who is skinny and wears glasses). It would be nice if they could be educational on ALL fronts.

That's exactly what struck me.

[Bernard]

The executives at Medikidz contacted me to extend an invitation for CWE to join their affiliate program. They sent me a sample copy of their epilepsy comic book and it's cute. The comic book is aimed at educating kids and de-mystifying the condition. As such, it does a good job of explaining what a seizure is. I didn't care much for the ending of the book which promoted taking meds or brain surgery as the only solutions, but I understand that the book isn't meant to be a comprehensive dissertation on the subject.

[Endless]

The comic book would be great for members of a child's class. Would help them understand.

I think we all agree the materials aren't perfect. Maybe we can subscribe, and be active in helping them to improve the materials in future versions. Work inside the system instead of against it.