Walking towards a better understanding of Epilepsy

Former amateur boxing champion and renown international Referee Cory Santos and his Family, represented the World Boxing Council at a Walk for Epilepsy in Nevada.

Cory and Family took part, to help raise funds to help for the treatment and research of Epilepsy and joining, united in the long ongoing road to finally find a cure for a condition, which affects millions of people globally. Epilepsy is a neurological disorder, characterized by recurrent seizures which are caused by abnormal electrical activity in the brain. Symptoms can range from brief lapses of awareness or muscle jerks, to full body convulsions. While there is no cure yet, treatment with medication or sometimes surgery can help towards management of symptoms and can help people live a normal life.

Sophia aged fourteen is the Daughter of Cory and his Wife Theresa and Sophia suffers from Epilepsy. The family has sought and received caring, expert and kindly treatment for Sophia at UCLA.

Theresa explained that the event is called Epilepsy Walk under the umbrella of the national Epilepsy Organization. The idea and the aim is to raise money for awareness, research and programs. She also said: ”We participated in the walk, talked to other families, there were booths and some doctors there and pharmaceutical companies. Being involved in this organization is helpful from a support standpoint to be around other families.”

Cory added: ”They had a lot of things that they were giving out for families, and one of those things was very interesting and I`ve never heard of it before. You put it on your seat belt and it says I have a medical condition. I cannot free myself. A car accident can cause a seizure. When First Responders show up, they don`t know the person is epileptic, but this is a little wrap around you put on the seatbelt. It indicates to the person responding to you that if you are non verbal or not able to communicate, it`s because of the medical condition. And I think it`s very important to put these on. They were giving those away, along with blankets in case someone has a seizure, you can put a blanket on them and comfort them.”

The collective, accumulative, determined and focused aim is to try and work towards a cure for Epilepsy in the coming years. Looking forward towards the future Theresa says: ”I think so. But, part of the challenge with Epilepsy is that they are so many different forms of seizures. I am very hopeful that they will find a cure at some point”

Cory explained about their Daughter Sofia: ”Many children who have Epilepsy, don`t just have this standing alone. There are other medical conditions. Sophia was injured in the womb, which deprived her of oxygen to her brain. And that along with a genetic issue, which are completely separate, contribute to her Epilepsy, with two different types of seizures.

”This event was designed around people like Sophia. She was happy to be there as a day at the park with other people and good exercise. It was about a mile walk. Organizers tried to make it educational but fun too. And there were dogs running around, which Sophia enjoyed. Sophia doesn`t grasp the struggle she has, but she keeps going and she keeps fighting and she looks at it like a normal day.”