Initial blogs are always difficult to get started, and while I may be very open (to the point of oversharing) at times, there are parts of my life that I keep walled off. This blog will be the intersection of two significant parts of my life: one that I'm very open about (running), and one that I wrongly treat like a dirty little secret (epilepsy).
The idea for the blog was born out of my journey to complete the 2013 Marine Corps Marathon and raise $1500 for the Epilepsy Therapy Project - dedicated to overcoming the funding gaps and roadblocks that slow the progress of new therapies from the lab to the patient. Despite advances in medication and surgical therapy, over 3 million Americans still suffer from persistent seizures. Many tolerate serious, life-changing side effects as a price to pay for seizure control. I am not one of these people. I am a lucky person.
I am a lucky person because my juvenile myoclonic epilepsy is well-controlled through two newer generation drugs that don't cause such debilitating side effects. I go very, very long periods of time without seizures. I haven't suffered cognitive or mental effects due to medications - although they do make me sleepy, have caused headaches and have other side effects I need to monitor.
Perhaps that's enough about that for now. Epilepsy does not control my life. But it affects it every. single. day.
Please join me on my journey as I train for my first marathon, come out of the shadows as an adult living with epilepsy, and enjoy dancing through life and finding my inner awesome.
To donate to my fundraising efforts, please click this link: Jamie's ETP Marine Corps Marathon Fundraising Link
Out of the shadows, the phoenix is rising.
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