Epilepsy Awareness
It’s not about a color, it’s about educating, bringing people together to help raise awareness and support for a disease that has taken many of our children and loved ones.
Cassidy Megan created the idea of Purple Day in 2008, motivated by her own struggles with epilepsy. Cassidy’s goal is to get people talking about epilepsy in an effort to dispel myths and inform those with seizures that they are not alone. The Epilepsy Association of Nova Scotia came on board in 2008 to help develop Cassidy’s idea which is now known as the Purple Day for epilepsy campaign. The internationally recognized color for epilepsy which is Lavender so she named it “purple day”
Did you know…
Here are just a few facts from the Epilepsy Foundation http://www.epilepsy.com/
1 in 10 people will have a seizure in their lifetime.
More than 3 million Americans are affected by Epilespy; that’s more than Multiple Sclerosis, Cerebral Palsy, Muscular Dystrophy and Parkinson’s Disease combined.
In America, Epilepsy is as common as Breast Cancer, and takes as many lives.
Epilepsy affects 50,000,000 people worldwide.
The federal government spends much less on Epilepsy research compared to other diseases, many which affect fewer people.
Research funding for Epilepsy is about $35 per patient compared to $200-$400 for the other illnesses.
Sudden Unexplained Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP) accounts for 10% of all Epilepsy related deaths; 85% of these fatalities occur between ages of 20 to 50. SUDEP incidence is approximately 1 in 1000 people with Epilepsy annually more than 10 times the sudden death rate found in the general population.
What can we do?
You can wear purple clothing,
make purple ribbons with your children to wear
and also make bows to tie around trees in your neighborhoods and communities.
Wear purple jewelry,
have a mani/pedi day and get your purple on.
Replace your outdoor light bulbs with purple ones,
release purple balloons in honor of those with Epilepsy and those we have lost to Epilepsy.
It is our responsibility as advocates, parents, caregivers, family members, friends of those with Epilepsy to “Talk About It” to bring Epilepsy into the forefront make it both a household name and word to be used, discussed on an ongoing and continual basis.
Advocacy starts with us, it starts by doing something so simple and watching it spread around the community and globe. Take the time this year to get involved in your own communities and choose to work with an Epilepsy Foundation you feel is truly working for the greater good of the community and its residents. We are all in this together, we are all fighting for the same thing a Cure. Their is no reason that we cannot come together and work together, there is no reason other Epilepsy organizations established or those that are new can not work together and do something to benefit not only both organizations but the communities they live in.
This month Epilepsy Warriors chose one of our portraits of Jackson for their cover photo for their article. This image was taken during a family portrait session at our studio around “Ole Rusty” . Jackson was so adorable, fun and hamming it up for the camera. He was totally a typical 3 year old. It wasn’t until afterwards Mom told us that he had a seizure on back of truck, it was a moment when he was quiet and just kinds stared off and shook a little.
Read More of Jackson’s story by clicking on link below
http://epilepsywarriors.org/march-2015-featured-child/
“Epilepsy is an ugly beast ” quote from a loving Mom who is doing everything in her power and praying for wisdom and guidance on raising a precious gift from God!
SanBar Photography Fort Myers Childrens and Family Photographers
2015 Cherubs and Charmers Calendar Contest
We would like to thank all our beautiful babies for participating
in our 6th annual facebook calendar contest.
While only the top 12 votes made it in the calendar we truly believe that all are
winners and couldn’t get any cuter with such adorable antics, and expressions.
We had a blast in the camera room with the cherubs and charmers!
May each and everyone grow up to stay just as adorable and sweet as they are now.
And the winner is Kian
Thank You parents for your support and being so awesome during a few bumps in the road during the week of voting.
Sincerely, ~ Sandy & Barb
Business Headshots for Thrive Therapy/ Fort Myers FLorida
Thrive Therapy Business Headshots
We had the opportunity to work with Rachel and Elizabeth at
Thrive Therapy in Fort Myers for business head shots, and some
updated photos for their website.
Thrive Therapy works with children and families through creative play.
(see posted link for more information)
Rachel Stewart, Author “Zach & Zoie Safe Zones
Here at SandBar, Sandy & I see a lot of children. Whether they are 6 days old
or 6 years old, each child is different in personality and looks.
It is an amazing discovery to see newborns barely out of the womb of Mom already
easy going, feisty, hot natured, calm, or one that would rather snuggle in a toasty wrap.
Each child has a mind of their own and here at SandBar we let the little ones rule.
They dictate how the sessions go, as far as the flow and order of the session.
Somehow it turns out amazingly perfect as it should be.
We wanted to recognize these two special ladies and their field of expertise.
A much needed service in our community.
Who They Treat? Children 3-12 years, Adolescents 13-17 years, Adults 18+ years, Families
What They Treat? Anxiety, Depression, Trauma/Abuse, Grief/Loss, Impulse Control/ADHD, Parenting Education,Safe Education
What is Play Therapy?
Play Therapy is a theoretically based form of counseling that is used with children to help resolve psychosocial challenges. Children benefit from play therapy, compared to traditional talk therapy, due to their limited verbal ability to express their thoughts and feelings. In play therapy, children have access to carefully selected therapeutic toys that enable the child to say with the toys what they may not be able to say with words through the use of miniature figurines, art supplies, puppets, and dolls. Play therapy allows the child to work through things they have difficulty with by providing a safe psychological distance from their problems that in turn allows them to express their thoughts and feelings appropriate to their development. It is different from just playing with a child, a play therapist has specialized training to help assess a child’s play and facilitate growth and healing through play therapy interventions. Through play therapy, children learn to communicate with others, express feelings, modify behavior, develop problem-solving skills, and learn a variety of ways to relate to others.Play is the natural language of children. Toys are thought to be a child’s words and play is their language.
Who Benefits from Play Therapy ?
Anyone can benefit, however PlayTherapy is generally used with children ages 3 to 12.
Fort Myers, Florida Family Photographers and Portrait Artist for Christmas Cards
Meet “Rusty”. a vintage Ford, and the newest member of our SandBar Family.
We love everything about him. He brings so much character, texture, history,
and style to every photograph.
We feel that he is a perfect fit as Fort Myers is not only the winter home of
Thomas Edison but just next door Henry Ford as well as the first Ford dealership in America.
If you are looking for something a little more classic and different to make your
Christmas stand out this year, include Rusty. He will be wearing his Holiday Cheer.
Can’t wait to see what Sandy is planning to do with him for the season.
“And the rest is rust and stardust”
Fort Myers, Florida SandBar New Born Photographers and Portrait Artists
Nothing melts our hearts more
than newborn babies. They are perfect in every way.
We consider it a special blessing when we can photograph someone
as precious as Rafael.
Rafeal brought his big brother, Davee along today. These are a few
photos that are simply oozing with sweetness.
Davee introduces Rafael
We found this poem that seems appropriate for Rafeal and David.
Because I have a brother I will always have a friend.
Big Brother, my little eyes are watching all you say and do
When I grow up big & tall, I want to be like you
My little ears are listening to everything you say
I am learning how to grow up & be just like you someday.
So be careful how you teach me to be the person that you are
You will always be my first best friend & the brightest shining star.
Fort Myers, Florida, Sanibel, Captiva, Boca Grande, Estero Island, Marco Island, Southwest Florida Photographers.
Living in Southwest Florida one of the many attractions are our beaches.
It is the place where families often gather for vacation.
When you think of it, it is also an opportune time to capture those memories.
Just off the West Coast of Florida between Sarasota and Naples are some of this states’ best islands.
Boca Grande, Upper and Lower Captiva, Sanibel, Estero Island and Marco.
All are quite quaint with different personalities.
Each one unique and some of our favorite spots for photos.
The Plachetka Family scheduled with Sandy before they left Illinois 
requesting a Generational Session.
We suggested Light House Beach on Sanibel Island.
We used the Sanibel Causeway as a backdrop
as well as the approaching luminous clouds framed by the lush vegetation.
No matter the conditions, Sandy can always capture a little magic.
This is the blessing of having a talented artist as a business partner.
Below are some photos from that day.
Creating “ART” from life is our goal with every portrait.
Time stops for no one but there are moments that
can be caught and will live on to cherish forever.
Planning a photo session might be something to consider for your next family vacation.
