When Sail For Epilepsy makes port stops, we look forward to connecting with the local community. We offer an assortment of events that will appeal to a range of ages, abilities, and interests. We seek local hosts that will help us organize these events, with the goals of inspiring people with epilepsy, raising awareness, and educating the public. We donate our time and any necessary activity materials for these events and do not charge hosts for our appearance. Please contact us at [email protected] or fill out the form at the bottom of this page to learn more about these opportunities.
Let us know if you or an organization you are affiliated with is interested in hosting Sail For Epilepsy during an upcoming port stop.
Sail For Epilepsy Tentative Ports in 2023:
Vancouver • Seattle • Portland • San Francisco • Los Angeles • San Diego
Nautical Activities
Phil and the Sail For Epilepsy team offer an empowering family-friend afternoon of nautical activities and community connections. Possible lessons include learning how to tie some knots, how to find the north star and predict sunset, and helping to make a flag that will be flown on future Sail For Epilepsy voyages. Phil will give a brief presentation about his journey with epilepsy and invite attendees to become a Virtual Shipmate by taking the One More Step Challenge. This is a great opportunity for participants to meet other people in the community who are affected by epilepsy.
Awareness & Education Presentation for Adults
More people live with epilepsy than with autism spectrum disorders, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis and cerebral palsy – combined. Yet, this disorder is not widely understood by the general public. In speaking to local community members, Sail For Epilepsy seeks to raise awareness about epilepsy and provide insight on causes, treatments, and current research, from a personal and scientific perspective. The audience will leave armed with some basic facts about epilepsy and hear ways people living with epilepsy are living full lives, with the necessary safety measures in place.
Awareness & Education Presentation for Children
The stigma associated with epilepsy is partially due to a lack of understanding of the disorder. By teaching children basic facts about epilepsy, Sail For Epilepsy will start a foundation of knowledge that will lead to more compassion and empathy. Phil also seeks to inspire young people with epilepsy by sharing his personal journey and a positive message of focusing on what you can do despite epilepsy, rather than focusing on the limitations. This presentation can be tailored for the age group and a nautical activity can be included. Ideal venues include schools, sailing clubs, and civic groups.
Seizures: Causes, Types, and First Aid Ready
An overview of the causes of epilepsy and the variety of resulting seizures will be the introduction to how to help someone when they are having a seizure. Watching a tonic-clonic seizure is uncomfortable and can be scary. Many people do not know how to react when faced with this situation. This presentation will provide the steps that anyone can learn to help keep a person safe during this kind of seizure and others. Ways to support a person after their seizure is over will be discussed. Importantly, guidance will be given on what NOT to do during a seizure. This presentation can be tailored for any age group. Ideal venues include schools, sailing clubs, and civic groups.
Evening Reception
Bringing together key local community members for an evening of networking and cultivation can be supplemented by a brief presentation about Phil’s journey with epilepsy, the Sail For Epilepsy mission, some inspirational stories of our Virtual Shipmates, and ways that the community can support those affected by epilepsy. This event would primarily be for the benefit of the local host organization and can be customized to best fit the intended audience and needs of the host.
» Download Evening Reception PDF (209kb)
Sailing with a Purpose
Inspiring people with disabilities to live fuller lives. Phil has logged over 50,000 nautical miles, much of it as a short-handed sailor competing in New England races. He’s completed two Bermuda 1-2s and recently sailed across the Atlantic Ocean. In 2019, Phil began using sailing as a platform to raise awareness and educate about epilepsy. Epilepsy can be an isolating disorder where those affected focus on limitations, rather than possibilities. As with other disabilities, with appropriate safety measures in place, many epileptics can enjoy a full life.
Sleep While Sailing Solo Offshore – A Brain-Based Guide to Napping
In addition to being a solo offshore sailor, Phil Haydon is an internationally recognized neuroscientist whose research focuses on the regulation of sleep. In 2009 he discovered the mechanism that causes the brain to desire to sleep after a period of sustained wakefulness. He will give information about the brain that provides the foundation for napping strategies while sailing and will discuss polyphasic sleep (several short periods of sleep per day) and answer questions including – is caffeine good or bad? are there long-term consequences of polyphasic sleep?
