Just before the pandemic struck I weighed almost 18 stones (yeah, I know). Like many others, when I was forced to work from home I chose to go walking for 20 minutes each lunchtime for a bit of exercise but mainly to retain my sanity. Over a few weeks, I noticed the weight gradually starting to fall off and so the walks gradually developed into running. My initial goal was to be able to run a 5km Parkrun without stopping.

That was then. It’s now 2022 and not only have I become seriously addicted to running but I weigh 4 stones less, workout at a local gym, and regularly run over 100km a month.

The Great Scottish Run is the first time since 2000 I have chosen to run for charity, which I did back then to raise money for Cancer Bacup in the name of Ian Dury. So to be quite honest it’s probably about time I did another but I wanted to do it for a charity closer to home.

My original plan was to simply complete this race but I do that most weekends now, then it became a target to beat my Personal Best but I did that in the Inverness Half Marathon in March! So my aim now is to run the 13.1 miles (21.1km) in under 2hrs 30 mins. If I achieve that in training, I'll drop it even further. 

WHY EPILEPSY SCOTLAND?

Quite simply because everyone has their own wars to fight and this was mine. Finding out you have epilepsy at a young age can either make or break you - you either learn to live with it or fight against it. Me? I kind of did both, but one thing I never did was let it affect the decisions I made growing up.

Looking back and all things considered, I think I got off pretty lightly (apart from the numerous ambulance trips, broken teeth, broken arms, sprains, bruises, dislocations, burns, and of course, bust pairs of glasses). Each time I experience a seizure feelings of dark emptiness, emotional vacancy and depression take over, but in the words of Charles Bukowski: "You have to die a few times before you can really live." And in the end, I always felt my family and friends got the shorter end of this particular stick.

For some people though, epilepsy changes their lives immeasurably and on a daily basis much more than it has done to me. So I’m hoping that in some small way I can address the balance by helping to raise money for those who are much worse off, especially for kids who are just finding out they have epilepsy and neither they nor their families know how it will affect them or what will happen next. It can be a scary time but it doesn't have to be.

They should know that despite the occasional misconceptions, there is support, there is no shame, and there is no need to feel different - like I said at the start, everyone is fighting their own wars. They should be aware their life need not follow a path any different to the one they dream just because epilepsy has come into it. Sure, some considerations may have to be made along the way but ultimately, you are who you are and the path you choose is up to YOU!

Which is where Epilepsy Scotland comes in and why I chose them - because they strive to make the difference between fear and truth and so much more. With very little statutory funding though, they rely heavily on donations to enable them to do this work so every donation really does help to ensure they can continue.

Thanks for reading this far and if you are able, please think about making a small contribution to those who need the help.

The more money donated, the more I will drop the time I will try and run this race in. Who knows, a new world record could be on the cards :-)

https://www.epilepsyscotland.org.uk


Epilepsy Scotland works with people living with epilepsy to ensure that their voice is heard. Epilepsy affects 55,000 people in Scotland, we are here for anyone with this common serious neurological condition, their families, carers and employers. We campaign for improved healthcare and an end to stigma, we influence policies that will affect the health, educational and social welfare of people with epilepsy and we provide quality information, support and wellbeing services.