Greenwich Residents Participate in Sharon's Ride.Run.Walk for Epilepsy

From Sharon’s Ride.Run.Walk for Epilepsy: Fairfield and Westchester County residents will be out in force on Sunday, May 21, 2017, as they show their support for epilepsy awareness and the Epilepsy Foundation of Connecticut by participating in the annual Sharon’s Ride.Run.Walk for Epilepsy at Cove Island Park in Stamford, Connecticut. Registration for the Walk begins at 11:00 a.m. and the event starts at 12:00 p.m. Registration is $25 and includes lunch and a t-shirt and can be done in advance at www.epilepsy.com/sharon_register.php or on-site at the event.

More than 60,000 children and adults in the State of Connecticut suffer from epilepsy and one out of 26 people will develop epilepsy at some point in their lifetime. Epilepsy affects more Americans than multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy and Parkinson’s diseases combined. Epilepsy is also most prevalent in children under the age of two and adults 65 and older. Sadly, one out of three will have uncontrollable seizures even while on medication. Events like the Sharon’s Ride.Run.Walk raise important funds for research and treatment.

This year’s participants include Chanda Gunn, Olympic bronze medalist and hockey player known for overcoming obstacles on and off the rink, and Greenwich High School Swim Team co-captain and senior Patrick Clisham.

Chanda was only nine when she was diagnosed with juvenile absence epilepsy and she quickly gained control over her epilepsy with anti-seizure medications. Unfortunately, in the middle of her freshman year, she experienced a series of tonic-clonic seizures and had to drop out of college to regain control over her epilepsy. Through her hard work, though, she returned to the ice and eventually helped lead the U.S. team to a bronze medal in the XX Olympic Winter Games held in Turin, Italy. Today, Chanda lives an active life with her family. She continues to battle epilepsy but never lets it defeat her. She is heavily involved in charity work, serving as an Athletes vs Epilepsy Ambassador. Chanda believes people living with epilepsy should support one another and encourages the community not to let seizures discourage them from chasing their dreams. Join us as she shares her inspiring story of perseverance in the face of adversity.

Patrick, developed epilepsy as a high school freshman but he has not let his epilepsy stop him from excelling. He was recently was recruited to swim Division 1 at Loyola Maryland University and is finishing his senior year where he took first place at the Fairfield County Championship in the 100 Butterfly and a second place finish in the 50 freestyle. At the State Open, Patrick had two third place finishes (50 freestyle and 100 butterfly) and a second place finish as a member of the 200 free relay with an All-American Consideration time. The team won the State Open. Patrick is forming a team of his fellow teammates and friends to raise funds and awareness for the Epilepsy Foundation of Connecticut via Sharon’s Ride.Run.Walk for Epilepsy.

“I was an honor student and varsity athlete at the time. My first seizure occurred with no warning,” noted Patrick Clisham. “Over the last three years I have been able to get my seizures under control. It’s been a struggle sometimes, worrying that at any point I could have a grand mal seizure at school or in the pool. Being seizure-free for a year and a half now has made it easier to focus on my goals. It is so important to take medication properly and to get the proper sleep.”

Registration and additional information for the May 21, 2017, event in Stamford, Connecticut, can be found at www.epilepsyct.com/sharon.php.

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