In early March 2024 I had a tonic clonic seizure, which led to a hidden epilepsy diagnosis. This happened about 3 weeks after my daughter was born. It changed everything about my life and how I could help raise my baby, putting so much added pressure on my wife and family. I then had a 2nd seizure like this in May. Both of these did so much damage to my body that I am still suffering from the injuries, as well as stopping breathing in one of them and waking up not knowing the name of my daughter when asked by the paramedics.

On the week of my diagnosis a family member that has had epilepsy since being a teenager passed away from SUDEP. Her family had a mum, wife, daughter, sibling taken from them in the blink of an eye with something that I also found out I had that very week. I will be running this with her husband and her brother-in-law.

Other than the birth of my daughter, 2024 was a very dark year for me and my family. I want to start 2025 by bringing positivity and doing something good that will help other people.

On September the 7th I will be doing the Great North Run for 2 charities.

1. Epilepsy Action. Where the money raised will go to helping people that have been diagnosed and are struggling with the changes and impacts it has on their lives. People hear epilepsy and know of the seizures, but that is just the tip of the iceberg. Everything you do in life is changed in fear of what could happen without any prior warning.

2. Little Princess Trust. I have lovely long flowing locks that I am very proud of, they need cutting. By donating 12 inches of my hair to this charity they will turn that into a wig for a child that has lost their hair. Either through cancer treatment, alopecia, or any other reason. The donations cover the costs of the preparation and making of the wig itself. I decided to keep it growing until I had enough hair to donate. I will be cutting it off at the end of June/start of July.

https://www.justgiving.com/page/jak-ford-lane-2?utm_medium=FR&utm_source=CL