Connect Groups
Connection makes the difference.
When you’re living with epilepsy, or supporting someone who is, it’s easy to feel like no one truly understands. But you’re not alone, and you don’t have to navigate this by yourself. That’s why we offer Connect and Peer‑Led Connect Groups: a supportive space to connect with others impacted by epilepsy, share experiences, and find strength in community.
These groups are welcoming, safe spaces to meet others who’ve been there, share your story, and find community that listens and lifts you up. Groups meet regularly and are tailored to different needs and life stages. Whether you’re newly diagnosed or years into your journey, a teen, young adult, parent, or caregiver, there is a place for you here.
Connection is more than conversation — it’s care, community, and healing.
At EFMN, we offer Connect Groups and Peer-Led Connect Groups.
Connect Groups are staff‑led and offer a more guided space for conversation and community, and shared discussion.
Peer-Led Connect Groups are led by trained volunteers with lived experience of epilepsy and offer a more informal, conversational space centered on peer connection.
No matter which you choose, both are welcoming spaces to listen, share, and feel less alone. Some people come to listen, some to share, and many do both.
Connect Groups
Connect Groups are staff‑led and offer a more guided space for conversation and community, and shared discussion.
Explore group offerings and descriptions below.
Interested in attending? Visit the Event Calendar to find the group you want to attend and register.
Adult Connect
📅 4th Thursday, Monthly | ⏰ 6:30–7:30 PM
Who: Adults living with epilepsy
Adults living with epilepsy come together to meet others, share the triumphs and challenges of living with seizures and connect with those who understand the epilepsy journey.
Facilitator(s)
EFMN Staff
Parent/Caregiver Group
📅 3rd Thursday, Monthly | ⏰ 6:30–7:30 PM
Who: Parents, grandparents, and caregivers of someone with epilepsy
Meet other parents, grandparents, and caregivers who live day-to-day caring for a child with seizures and/or epilepsy. This is an opportunity to meet others, offer peer-to-peer support, share resources and experiences, and talk honestly about the triumphs and challenges of a child’s epilepsy journey. For more information, please contact
Facilitator(s)
EFMN Staff
Young Adult Group
📅 1st Thursday, bi-monthly | ⏰ 6:30–7:30 PM
Who: Ages 18–39 living with epilepsy
A space for young adults with epilepsy to meet others and talk about life updates, challenges, and successes with others who understand the epilepsy journey. This is a young adult-led group looking to create peer-to-peer support and connection.
Facilitator(s)
EFMN Staff
Looking for more connection opportunities?
Connect with other young adults with Young Adults with Epilepsy (YAWE), a space created by young adults with epilepsy FOR young adults with epilepsy.
Teen Group
📅 2nd Tuesday, Quarterly | ⏰ 6:30–7:30 PM
Who: Teens (ages 13–17) with epilepsy
This space is for teens with epilepsy to meet others who understand the journey they’re on. Join us to hang out, make new friends, and talk about growing up and living with epilepsy.
Facilitator(s)
EFMN Staff
Spanish Connect Group
📅 Rotating Tuesdays, Monthly | ⏰5:30-6:30 PM
Who: Spanish-speaking individuals with epilepsy and their caregivers
La epilepsia puede ser una condición aislante sin el apoyo de otros, pero creemos que nadie debería tener que enfrentar la epilepsia solo. Esta reunión virtual es una oportunidad para conectarse con otras personas hispanohablantes, compartir experiencias y dar/recibir apoyo. Son bienvenidos personas con epilepsia, cuidadores, padres, u otros seres queridos de alguien con epilepsia.
Si tiene preguntas, por favor contacte a Angela (651-368-6209, llamada/texto)
Facilitator(s)
Angela Bowles Edwards (EN/ES – Hablo español)
abedwards@efmn.org
Peer‑Led Connect Groups
Peer-Led Connect Groups are led by trained volunteers with lived experience of epilepsy and offer a more informal, conversational space centered on peer connection. Explore group offerings and descriptions below. Learn more about the facilitators here.
Interested in attending? Visit the Event Calendar to find the group you want to attend and register.
Partner of Someone with Epilepsy
📅 1st Thursday, Monthly | ⏰ 7:00–8:00 PM
Zoom
Partners are invited to join others for an hour to discuss the highs and lows of their journeys and hear from other significant others about how to care for themselves while caring for loved ones with epilepsy.
Contact one of the facilitators with any questions.
Facilitator(s)
James Schaefer
james.schaefer84@gmail.com
Chris Merrill
cmerrill1@gmail.com
Parenting with Epilepsy
📅 2nd Tuesday, Monthly | ⏰ 7:00–8:00 PM
Zoom
Adults living with epilepsy who are also parents are invited to come together to meet others, share the triumphs and challenges of living with seizures, and connect with those who understand the epilepsy journey. Significant others and children are welcome to join the meeting.
Contact one of the facilitators with any questions.
Facilitator(s)
Kel Schaefer
kelannschaefer@gmail.com
KariAnn Buntrock
buntrock@bektel.com
Duluth Area Adults
📅 2nd Thursday, Monthly | ⏰ 6:00–7:00 PM
Caribou Coffee – Duluth 2100 London Rd Duluth, MN 55812
Adults impacted by epilepsy are welcome to attend this quarterly peer-led in-person group to meet others who can relate to their experiences of managing epilepsy. The group will meet at an open table, and guests are welcome to order their own food/beverage.
Contact the facilitator with any questions.
Facilitator(s)
Desiree Gregorich
pugtekk@gmail.com
Coffee + Conversation + Creativity for Adults Impacted by Epilepsy in the Twin Cities
📅 2nd Saturday, Monthly | ⏰ 9:00–10:00 AM
Mojo Coffee Gallery, 2205 California St NE, Minneapolis, MN 55418
Anyone impacted by epilepsy is welcome to join for coffee and conversation at this monthly opportunity to connect. If you enjoy a creative activity such as writing or crafting, you’re welcome to bring your project with.
Contact the facilitator with any questions.
Facilitator(s)
Babs Larson
babsandbeijing@icloud.com
Moms Supporting Moms with Adult Children with Epilepsy
📅 1st Tuesday, Monthly | ⏰ 7:00–8:00 PM
Zoom
Moms of adult children with epilepsy are invited to attend this support group where moms come together and share their journey and experiences. This group provides a safe space to express feelings and talk about both the challenges and joys of parenting an adult child with epilepsy.
Contact one of the facilitators with any questions.
Facilitator(s)
Shelly Toregerson
shellynd@yahoo.com
Parents/ Caregivers of a Nonverbal Child with Epilepsy
📅 Quarterly | ⏰ Varies
Zoom
Join other parents/caregivers of a nonverbal child with epilepsy for a space to share your experiences and support and encourage one another.
Contact one of the facilitators with any questions.
Facilitator(s)
Joel Virtue
joeljvirtue@gmail.com
Carissa Burns
crpfarr@gmail.com
Grand Rapids Area Community Epilepsy Awareness Group
📅 2nd Thursday, Monthly | ⏰ 6:00-7:30 PM
Kiesler Wellness Center, 3130 SE 2nd Ave, Grand Rapids, MN 55744
Anyone personally impacted by epilepsy or interested in learning more about epilepsy is welcome to join us for a monthly opportunity to connect with others who can relate to your experiences.
The meetings start with a light dinner followed by a time of connecting while enjoying activities such as playing pool, fuse ball, Legos, board games, and more. This is a safe space to know that you are not alone in your journey with epilepsy.
Contact one of the facilitators with any questions.
Facilitator(s)
Brittanie Danzl
brittanieboldt@yahoo.com
Joss Parantala
parantalajoss@gmail.com
Kasey Cundy
mamacundy@gmail.com
Adults Navigating Life After Epilepsy Surgery
📅 2nd Monday, Monthly | ⏰ 7:00-8:00 PM
Zoom
You’re invited to connect over Zoom with other adults to discuss navigating life after epilepsy surgery. This group is for those who have had any type of surgical intervention for epilepsy including lobectomy, hemispherectomy, RNS, DBS, VNS, Visualize (laser guided ablation), etc.
Whether your impacts include continued seizures, memory difficulties, employment changes, applying for benefits, communication struggles, family dynamics, changes in energy level, mental health impacts, or any other life impacts, this is a space for you to know that you are not alone.
Contact one of the facilitators with any questions.
Facilitator(s)
Traci Kokke
tlkokke@hotmail.com
David Elmergreen
heygreenman@yahoo.com
Have Questions or Facing a Barrier to Joining?
Reach out to us. We’re here to help.
What to Expect
- Connect Groups are guided by respect, trust, and shared experience.
- Most meetings are open discussion, while others may focus on a topic or feature a guest speaker.
- We keep the format flexible, so there’s room for both structure and open sharing.
Group Guidelines
- What’s shared in the group stays in the group. We protect privacy and confidentiality.
- Share the air. Everyone who wants to speak gets a chance.
- Speak from your own experience. Use “I” language and avoid giving advice unless asked.
- Be kind and respectful. We welcome different views and value supportive conversation.
- Join on time. Meetings begin promptly and follow a guided format.
- Seizure safety is a priority. Facilitators are trained in seizure first aid.
- Make new friends, safely. We don’t share contact info — but you’re welcome to connect outside of meetings.
Upcoming Connect Groups
View all events07
May
Young Adult Connect Group
A space for young adults with epilepsy to meet others and talk about life updates, challenges, and successes with others who understand the epilepsy journey. This is a young adult-led group looking to create peer-to-peer support and connection. For more information, please contact Lisa Necastro at lisa.necastro@efmn.org or 651-287-2358.
12
May
Teen Connect
This space is for teens with epilepsy to meet others who understand the journey they’re on. Join us to hang out, make new friends, and talk about growing up and living with epilepsy. For more information, please contact Lisa Necastro at Lisa.necastro@efmn.org or 651-287-2358.
21
May
Parent/Caregiver Connect
Meet other parents, grandparents, and caregivers who live day-to-day caring for a child with seizures and/or epilepsy. This is an opportunity to meet others, offer peer-to-peer support, share resources and experiences, and talk honestly about the triumphs and challenges of a child’s epilepsy journey. For more information, please contact Erik
Thriving with Epilepsy
Meet Ryan Lais
Ryan found Connect Groups helpful when he became an adult and had a totally different set of anxieties in his life. That support led him to joining our Regional Advisory Committee and working to help others.
Ryan's Story
Looking for more ways to connect?
Our social events are also a great way to meet other people who understand, and to have some fun!
Social Events