One Step Closer to Replacing the Ketogenic Diet for Epilepsy
Imagine a future where the ketogenic diet—a well-known treatment for difficult-to-control seizures—could be replaced by a pill. Such a pill would provide the same seizure-reducing benefits without the challenges of maintaining a strict diet or dealing with its side effects. Recent research suggests we may be one step closer to that goal1. Scientists have identified …
From Tall Ships to Tennis: My Connection to Sail For Epilepsy
Believe it or not, I first came across Sail For Epilepsy through my love of tall ships and sea chanteys. In undergrad, I volunteered at my college town’s “Downrigging Weekend,” where tall ships from across the Mid-Atlantic would congregate and take people for one last river sail before the winter. As I handed out maps …
It’s Not What You Can’t Do — It’s What You CAN Do
A journey of adventure, resilience, and finding purpose beyond epilepsy. In this blog, Sean, (a Virtual Shipmate who lives with epilepsy), shares his incredible journey sailing around the world. He opens up about the challenges he faced and the unique approach he used to overcome them. Sean lives by a powerful motto, one that we …
Empowered by Sail for Epilepsy: A Dream Realized
I am writing to express my deepest gratitude and support for the Sail for Epilepsy Program. Thanks to the generous grant provided by this incredible organization, my son has had the opportunity to pursue a goal that once seemed out of reach for him—learning to ski. This experience has been truly transformative, and I cannot …
Empowering Epilepsy Communities: Stories of Inspiration and Connection from Burnaby to Seattle
This past week we had the pleasure of meeting members of the epilepsy communities in Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada and the greater Seattle area in Washington State. It seems that no matter what state or country we visit, we meet individuals affected by epilepsy who continue to inspire us. A highlight for any event is …
EFNE Sailing Camp – 2023
Last week, on a sunny Thursday, Phil joined Epilepsy Foundation New England at their annual sailing camp in Newport, Rhode Island. This camp is held with Sail to Prevail, a nonprofit that improves the lives of more than 1,000 children and adults, each summer, through sailing in their fleet of specially adapted, 20-foot sailboats. Their …
Communication through unspoken symphony
Sheet Music We recently became aware of an alternative opportunity for self-expression. We decided to participate in this intriguing project. The idea behind unspoken symphony is to provide non-verbal ways of communicating. It all started when a father explained some of the challenges of having a non-verbal child, who suffers from two rare and severe …
Purple Day 2023
Giving the keynote address at the 4th Annual Purple Day for Epilepsy Awareness Around the World Expo Celebrated annually on March 26, Epilepsy Awareness Day, or Purple Day, was created to increase the public’s understanding of this brain disorder and to eliminate the fear and stigma surrounding it. Yesterday, I had the privilege to give …
Epilepsy Stigma: Ignorance, Prejudice, Discrimination
Phil during recovery from his head injury In my life with epilepsy it has been rare that I have experienced discrimination about my disease. I suffered my head accident which caused my epilepsy when I was 15. Back at school it was business as usual, except that with high doses of phenobarbital I often slept …
Welcome Aboard, Virtual Shipmates!
This spring, we invited people with epilepsy to join our crew as Virtual Shipmates by participating in our One More Step Challenge. We asked, “Are you able to do something to improve your quality of life? Can you take one extra step to do something you haven’t done before, with the necessary safety measures in place?” …
The One More Step Challenge: Are you able to take one extra step to do something you haven’t done before, with the necessary safety measures in place?
Celebrate our global community of Virtual Shipmates who joined the One More Step Challenges on a personal voyage towards living a fuller life.
The Sail For Epilepsy voyages, skippered by a person with epilepsy, offer an example of living a fuller life. View the latest updates, photos, and videos sent in from the boat.