The wheels fell off for me in the month of February and the year of 2022. I was diagnosed with Epilepsy. I had experienced 'vacant episodes' since I was about 13 years of age. Medical professionals mistakenly assumed they were due to blood sugars, blood pressure & hormones. I now know they were epileptic seizures. That means I went circa 18 years without knowing and I happened to have an epileptic seizure every 3-6 months!

The type of epilepsy I have is a combination of vacant epilepsy and tonic clonic without the jerking or shaking. This means that I have no sudden onset of symptoms, I black out, fall to the floor, and go unconscious. It can happen anywhere at any time - it can be fatal, and I am very lucky to still be alive.

Epilepsy Action is the charitable organisation I went to when my life got flipped upside down. The help, support, and guidance they gave me during this time was phenomenal because on a personal level, I really struggled. Firstly, I had no idea what it was, how to treat it, and what the impact was on me and my family - it was naively very impactful.

Thankfully, I am on the other side now. My epilepsy is medically controlled, and in February 2024, I will be celebrating my second year seizure-free anniversary by participating in a personal challenge called '50 Miles in February'. One you might be familiar with, because I accomplished it in 2023!

Can you support me and my fundraising efforts by donating to such a worthy cause? Your contribution will make a significant difference in the lives of those affected by epilepsy.