[News] Someone who has epilepsy in the Olympics!

[Cint]

Epilepsy Foundation of Colorado

Olympic Fever! Trevor Barron is a 19 year old speed walker representing the United States at the London Olympics. Trevor had two surgeries at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh in August 2006 for his epilepsy. Cheer for Trevor in the Men’s 20km walk as he demonstrates to the world that epilepsy is just something he has, it doesn’t define or limit him!

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/01/s...outside-the-spotlight.html?_r=1&smid=fb-share

 

[Nakamova]

Yay for Trevor!

 

[KimHen5]

That is awesome! Will definitely watch that with my family!

 

[no.guru]

Great find.

 

[Soniag]

that just shows us all we really can get somewhere in life, and not to let epilepsy get in the way of anything we want to achieve

 

[jonsey]

hi will be cheering for him too

 

[Silat]

Ever heard of Chanda Gunn?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chanda_Gunn

She plays hockey, and won a bronze medal in 2006 in the winter olympics.
She also has epilepsy and takes Keppra.

Oh... Plus these people:
Alexander The Great (Macedonian Emperor)
Julius Caesar (Roman Emperor)
Napoleon Bonaparte (French Emperor)
Harriet Tubman (Underground Railroad)
Peter The Great (Russian Czar)
James Madison (US President)
Vincent Van Gogh (Artist)
Danny Glover (Actor)
Hugo Weaving (Actor)
Samari Rolle (US Football)
Socrates (Greek Philosopher)

I've also heard Ghengis Khan had seizures, but the sources are sketchy so it's hard to know for sure. The Mongols weren't exactly known for their literature.

Here's a good link with a list of some, but there are way more than are listed here:
http://www.epilepsy.com/epİlepsy/famous

Suffice to say... I think we're in good company.

 

[CQ:)]

I haven't been watching the olympics but I hope Trevor goes well .

 

[JaneC]

I can't post links but please take time if you can to Google "Dai Greene epilepsy". He is a Welsh 400m hurdler who is already world champion and is aiming for gold at the Olympics - while having epilepsy, obviously.
A hugely inspirational man.

He also raised £50,000 for a charity called Young Epilepsy recently, on a TV game show :clap:

If someone who is able to post links could add something about Dai, that would be fabulous x

 

[Meetz1064]

So very COOL!!!

 

[Cint]

Ever heard of Chanda Gunn?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chanda_Gunn

She plays hockey, and won a bronze medal in 2006 in the winter olympics.
She also has epilepsy and takes Keppra.

Yep. She's been in the Epilepsy.com, as are the rest of those mentioned.

GETTING PERSONAL: THE CHANDA GUNN STORY
http://www.epilepsy.com/stories/ps_1089313782


FAMOUS PEOPLE WITH EPILEPSY
http://www.epilepsy.com/epİlepsy/famous

If someone who is able to post links could add something about Dai, that would be fabulous x

Ok, Jane, here is what I've found about Dai:
http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/other-sports/athletics/london-2012-dai-greene-on-athletics-1154353

"I had to work hard for what I’ve got': Dai Greene on turning down football for athletics success

Oliver Holt speaks to British medal hope Dai Greene about why he's a better person for staying away from the riches of football


..............“I had my first seizure after a New Year’s Eve out. And I had a few more over the next couple of years after going out at night. It didn’t stop me because I hadn’t seen myself having one. I hadn’t seriously hurt myself.

“I had damaged a few teeth when I fell and I’ve got a couple of fake teeth, but I was never not going to go out at the weekend because that was all I had to put my energy into, really.

“You do your college studies during the week and then you go out with your mates at the weekend and have a good time. That’s what I lived for at that age.

“But it’s been a few years since I had a seizure.

“The main trigger for me is tiredness and I look after myself now.

“If I go to bed late and have to get up early I am probably going to have a seizure, so I have to avoid that scenario.

 

[Cint]

Ever heard of Chanda Gunn?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chanda_Gunn

She plays hockey, and won a bronze medal in 2006 in the winter olympics.
She also has epilepsy and takes Keppra.

Oh... Plus these people:
Alexander The Great (Macedonian Emperor)
Julius Caesar (Roman Emperor)
Napoleon Bonaparte (French Emperor)
Harriet Tubman (Underground Railroad)
Peter The Great (Russian Czar)
James Madison (US President)
Vincent Van Gogh (Artist)
Danny Glover (Actor)
Hugo Weaving (Actor)
Samari Rolle (US Football)
Socrates (Greek Philosopher)

I've also heard Ghengis Khan had seizures, but the sources are sketchy so it's hard to know for sure. The Mongols weren't exactly known for their literature.

Here's a good link with a list of some, but there are way more than are listed here:
http://www.epilepsy.com/epİlepsy/famous

Suffice to say... I think we're in good company.

All this has been talked about in other posts. I just wanted to talk about today's Heroes!

 

[JaneC]

Thanks for doing that Cint. I was interested to read about Chanda Gunn too.