Bursaries, Scholarships & Awards
Note: Candidates who qualify for both are encouraged to apply for both the bursary and scholarship.
BURSARIES
The 2023 Michele Edwards Bursary was awarded to Catherine Dume; congratulations Catherine and thanks to all the outstanding applicants. If you are interested, please check back in the spring of 2024 for more information on how and when to apply.
Michele Edwards Bursary
This bursary aims to encourage and support women with epilepsy who have faced discrimination. The $800 bursary is awarded annually to a candidate to further their education and/or their career goals; whether that be in a full-time or part-time program, workshop, extra-curricular class or pursuing a career.
Michele faced many challenges in life as a result of her epilepsy, but she experienced additional barriers as a woman of colour. In acknowledgement of those additional barriers, the Michele Edwards bursaries will be awarded to a BIPOC (Black, Indigenous or people of colour) candidate.
The May 8, 2023 deadline has now passed. Please check back in spring of 2024 for updated application information.
The Michele Edwards bursary will be awarded to candidates:
- Who identify as female;
- Who identify as BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, or person of colour)
- Who are living with epilepsy;
- Whose quality of life is significantly impacted by epilepsy;
- Who are in financial need and would make good use of the bursary money;
- Who, despite the challenges they face, are ambitious and show great initiative and determination in pursuing their education and/or career goals;
- Who have faced adversity or discrimination, whether it be because of their epilepsy, race, gender or sexuality;
- Who lives in or are planning to attend school in Toronto, or are an Epilepsy Toronto client.
About Michele
Whether it was running track or playing piano, Michele was always determined to excel. Inspired to study law and advocate for others, she took her college to the Human Rights Commission after facing discrimination by her instructors in the classroom and forced her school to create new policies to accommodate people with disabilities. Michele passed away in December 2013 after a lengthy illness. This bursary was established with love by her husband Peter Boisseau, her children and her family to honor her legacy. Hear about Michele’s amazing life story, the latest research on music and epilepsy, and the podcast it inspired in the Sounds Interesting podcast episode Mozart & Michele, wherever you get your podcasts!
If you would like to make a donation to the Michele Edwards Bursary Fund please visit our donation page and choose “Michele Edwards Bursary” from the dropdown ‘Fund’ list. Your contribution is greatly appreciated.
SCHOLARSHIPS
The 2023 Ade Adegbite Memorial Scholarship was awarded to Luke Jan and Gloria Pickersgill. Congratulations to our recipients and thanks to all of the incredible applicants. Please check back in the spring of 2024 for more information on how and when to apply for our 2024 scholarships.
Ade Adegbite Memorial Scholarship
The Ade Adegbite Memorial Scholarship recognizes students with epilepsy who have overcome barriers and who continue to demonstrate resilience in coping with the challenges of epilepsy. Two scholarships of $1500 each will be awarded to assist a student with epilepsy to achieve their academic goals.
Candidates must demonstrate their determination in overcoming challenges related to epilepsy. Academic strength, community involvement, educational goals, communication skills, and epilepsy advocacy will also be considered.
The May 8, 2023 deadline has now passed. Please check back in spring of 2024 for updated application information.
The Ade Adegbite Memorial Scholarship will be awarded to candidates:
- Be a person living with epilepsy
- Be aged 17 or older
- Be a Canadian citizen, Protected Person or Permanent Resident of Canada
- Be a resident of Toronto or planning to attend school in Toronto or be an Epilepsy Toronto member
- Be enrolled in or accepted for a full-time or part-time post-secondary studies in a college or university, accredited profession or apprenticeship training institution (part-time students must be completing at leas one course each semester)
- Cannot be related to any member of Epilepsy Toronto’s Board of Directors or staff
About Ade
The scholarship is dedicated to the memory of Ade Adegbite, a remarkable young woman who would not allow the challenges that epilepsy presented to prevent her from achieving her goals. An excellent student, Ade studied at the University of Toronto, Scarborough, was fluent in French, and completed teachers college, all while actively volunteering in the community. She worked enthusiastically to educate others about the challenges faced by people living will epilepsy. She supported the work of Epilepsy Toronto as an educator, spokesperson, and fundraiser.
If you would like to make a donation to the Ade Adegbite Memorial Scholarship Fund please visit our donation page and choose “Ade Adegbite Memorial Scholarship” from the dropdown ‘Fund’ list. Your contribution is greatly appreciated.
AWARDS
Helping Out People with Epilepsy (HOPE) Award
This award is given to individuals or organizations that have done outstanding work to support people living with epilepsy; have spearheaded advancements in epilepsy care or have led groundbreaking research in epilepsy.
A H.O.P.E. Award was presented to Warren Toaze on Saturday, June 17, 2023 at Purple Walk in College Park.
Warren Toaze, best known to Epilepsy Toronto members as magician Max T. Oz has been involved with our agency for over 20 years. During that time, he has donated his time and skills as a performer at many, many events; from the annual BuskerFest and Gala Soiree events, to member events such as holiday parties and Purple Walks. We are forever grateful to him for his years of generosity and the professionalism, warmth and talent he always exemplifies. He is always a welcome face to see and with a twinkle in his eye, he will pull a coin from behind your ear and make many smiles appear from thin air!
In November 2023, Dr. Evan Lewis was presented with a H.O.P.E award for his leadership in establishing the Virtual Rapid Access Epilepsy Clinic during the COVID-19 pandemic. At that time, people affected by seizures in our community were struggling to access care more than ever. His clinics delivered quick turnaround specialist care to hundreds across the province and connected more people to local epilepsy agencies for community support than we had ever before experienced.
Dr. Evan Cole Lewis is a Neurologist and Clinical Neurophysiologist with expertise in pediatric neurology and epilepsy. He is an Assistant Professor with the Department of Pediatrics at the Hospital for Sick Children and the University of Toronto. He is the founder & medical director of the Neurology Centre of Toronto (NCT) and has clinical experience and a special interest in psychedelic medicine and medical cannabis in the treatment of neurological conditions in adults and children. He is a strong advocate for the use of virtual medicine to reach the underserved areas of Ontario, Canada.
PAST RECIPIENTS
Michele Edwards Bursary
2023: Catherine Dume
2022: Radhika Prabhune & Rachel Arnold
2021: Ashley Hunt
2019: Kirsten Huber & Nazanin Babaie
2018: Keerthana Naniah & Renae Alleyne
2017: Michelle Buckland & Amanda Kelly
Ade Adegbite Scholarship
2023: Luke Jan & Gloria Pickersgill
2022: Matthew Karam & Isabella De Sousa
2021: Hannah Gray & Don
2019: David Suthern, Denisa Radut & Victoria Cowie
2018: Isabelle Lepage
HOPE Award
2023: Warren Toaze (aka Maz T. Oz) & Dr. Evan Cole Lewis
2022: Monica Diaz-Greco
2021: Michael Alex
2019: Dr. Taufik Valiante and Black, Cassels & Graydon LLP
2018: Dr. Carter Snead and The Ontario Brain Institute
2017: Dr. Lila Georgevich, Kay Leslie and the Thompson family