Ron Rifkin.

Platform 2. Epilepsy -- What is it?

TalkAboutIt.org was created by Greg Grunberg (star of NBC's HEROES) in collaboration with the Epilepsy Foundation, and unites Hollywood stars to ask questions and to provide answers on epilepsy awareness, and invite change in the public's false understanding and perceptions about epilepsy.

INT. DAY / NIGHT. FLUORESCENT-LIT MTA-NYC STYLED SUBWAY STATION. Moody lighting.

Actor Ron Rifkin enters from left. Behind him there is a long "Hollywood Promises To Talk About It" poster banner advertisement.

Ron Rifkin: "So, someone has epilepsy. So what? Epilepsy is a medical condition, like asthma. You can't catch it. It's not contagious. And it is much easier to live with, if people understand it, and talk about it."

The station darkens, moving focus to a TV monitor featuring an expert panel interview. Greg Grunberg interviews epilepsy advocate Phil Gattone, Jr.

Greg Grunberg:So share with everybody, you're a teenager, you're growing up, you're taking medicine for your epilepsy, you're 21 or 22 or whatever and you're at a party and you know that you can't drink beer but you wanna fit in and you wanna be -- there's a secret that you shared with Jake that is just genius.  It's so simple but it's really smart.

Phil Gattone, Jr.: Well I mean if you're at a college party and people are drinking you can grab a beer.  You don't have to drink it.  You can just hold it.

Greg:Come on!  That's what I'm talking about.  That's what it's all about.  You'd be smarter than your friends.  It's tricks like that.  Now let me ask you this.  You're dating.  Do you tell somebody right away that you have epilepsy?  I guess it depends on how controlled you are.  Is that something you ever worried growing up that you would scare people off?

Phil:Yeah.  I think I felt a little scared at first but as the relationship develops you get to know the person and you can just share anything with them and you can just tell them.  I mean depending on the seriousness of your epilepsy you should either tell them right away.  It just all depends.

Greg:Right, and if they can't deal with it move on.  

Phil:I just think people need to know that it's okay to talk about it.  There's nothing to hide.

TV monitor darkens, and station brightens again, lighting upon Ron.

Ron Rifkin: You know what? If you don't have epilepsy, you probably know someone who does. Maybe even someone you care about.  So, let's promise to talk about it, so no one will ever feel the need to hide again.  I'm Ron -- (chuckles, looks off camera) who am I? ...Rifkin, Rifkin! I'm Ron Rifkin. Talk About It.

Ron exits stage left, to the ambience of a train approaching in the near distance.

Ron Rifkin

(b. 1939, New York, NY)

Saul Holden on Brothers & Sisters (2006-09)

Arvin Sloane on ALIAS (2001-2005)

Dr. Carl Vucelich on ER (1995-96)

Poster Talking Points:

Other Places to Visit: Epilepsy Foundation -- Flame Logo; Epilepsy Foundation eCommunities -- "Hand-written"; Epilepsy Advocate -- "Arial"

Promise Poster: with Ron Rifkin.