Rock band puts epilepsy message across

Katherine Wilkinson GARDEN ROUTE CORRESPONDENT

A SEEMINGLY unusual partnership between Epilepsy SA and the Jo Ellis Band is spreading a message of achievement to teenagers that they should not let obstacles stand in the way of achieving their dreams.

The hard rock band is performing along the Garden Route but had to cancel three gigs planned at Knysna high schools when band member Zaan Ellis was taken to hospital on Monday and Tuesday due to severe epileptic seizures.

Although Epilepsy Knysna social worker Olwena Shutte wanted to cancel the rest of the week‘s gigs, Zaan insisted they go ahead, saying: “Don‘t let anything stop you or stand in the way of what you want to do.”

The band is scheduled to play at Oakhill College today.

The group performs at high schools without charge, raising awareness about epilepsy and challenging stereotypical misconceptions.

Joe Ellis, vocalist and lead guitarist, yesterday said the main causes of epilepsy in the age group they reached were drug and alcohol abuse, and violent injury.

Zaan, Joe‘s sister, suffered her first seizure a month after sustaining head injuries in a car accident. She was advised to begin drumming as part of her therapy and soon the band formed, with Panna Decker joining the two.

The band has been together for almost three years and its influences include Pearl Jam, Led Zeppelin and Sound Garden.

Joe said the band started working with Epilepsy SA by chance after meeting Schutte during one of Zaan‘s appointments with a doctor.

They performed their first free school gig in Knysna last May.

The band has since performed at schools across the Southern Cape. Schutte said Epilepsy SA wanted the band to perform nationwide.

“The kids go wild and they really listen. They don‘t make fun of her, they really cheer her (Zaan),” Schutte said.

After the concert, epilepsy workers do follow-up visits with children who suffer from epilepsy. “It‘s important that it‘s not just a rock ‘n roll show that gets you out of the whole school thing for a day.

“We are doing something positive, the results are there and it‘s good,” Joe said.