Do you know this man?

Maybe you do, maybe you don't. My name is Dan Adams, just a normal guy from Surrey. You would pass me in the street just as you would any one of the 500,000 people living with epilepsy in the UK today.

I have grown up with epilepsy in my family, I also have friends affected with this incurable illness. When I've spoken to people about epilepsy it's clear that for such a common illness it is, in the main, still widely misunderstood.

So.... What is epilepsy?

An epileptic seizure is a short episode of symptoms caused by a burst of abnormal activity in the brain. Symptoms that may occur during a seizure can affect muscles, sensations, behaviour, emotions, consciousness or a combination of these. Epilepsy cannot be 'cured' but the seizures can be prevented in most people by suitable anti-epileptic medication which works by stabilising the electrical activity within the brain.

Having recently turned 40, I've decided to do what I can to raise awareness of this illness. I am taking on the crazy (mid-life crisis?!)challenge of cycling 60 miles from Camberley in Surrey to Worthing in West Sussex. If you do indeed know me you will know that I am not the keenest of cyclists nor a lover of exercise in general! However you will also know that when I set myself a challenge I will not back down.

Please, please do dig deep and sponsor me what you can. You can either sponsor me here, with JustGiving, or, if you prefer you can simply text DANA74 £5 to 70070 to donate £5 from your mobile.

Keeping up with my painful training progress and indeed the day of the ride itself follow me on Twitter @paddingrequired

 From the bottom of my heart.... thank you

Love & Peace

Dan x