A MINEHEAD resident who lives with epilepsy is set to walk 50 miles for charity next month.

Joanne Crawley, 52, who has lived in the town for two years, has taken on the challenge to walk 50 miles over the month of February to raise awareness of the condition in support of charity Epilepsy Action.

As someone who lives with uncontrolled epilepsy and is at high risk of sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP), Joanne hopes that by taking on this challenge, she will remind people of the impact that a condition like hers can have on the every-day.

The mother-of-four said: “So little is known about epilepsy, and yet so many people are affected by it. It's heartbreaking.

“People think Epilepsy is what they see on TV; dropping to the floor, drooling, wetting themselves, but there are 40 types of seizures, and those big ones are rare. And it’s so much more than seizures; there are support groups just for the medications. So if I can help bring awareness through this walk, that’s all that matters.

“I know it's going to be so hard. I know I will have seizures and problems doing it, but I will do what I can.”

Joanne is also disabled and lives with a traumatic brain injury (TBI) and occipital neuralgia alongside her epilepsy, meaning that she experiences chronic fatigue. As a result, Joanne’s walking is limited and only recently has she been able to walk a mile comfortably, having occasionally used a wheelchair until last year.

Due to her disabilities and epilepsy, Joanne has turned to Facebook to seek a keen walker to accompany her on her journey as she attempts to hit the 50-mile mark.

She said: “Putting that post on Facebook was so scary. But the people have been amazing offering to walk with me.

“The community here is incredible and for someone like myself who can't be around noise or people, I still feel like I'm included.

Joanne will be taking her service dog Lulu with her to support her on her challenge to walk 50 miles
Joanne will be taking her service dog Lulu with her to support her on her challenge to walk 50 miles (Photo: Joanne Crawley)

“For the first time since I was diagnosed with epilepsy, I feel I can achieve something. I'm walking, I'm socialising a little, and I'm also letting people know how much a condition can change someone's life.

“I'm at high risk of SUDEP so I could have a fatal seizure anytime, so to feel like I'm doing something to help others in the same position as me is wonderful.”

Alongside a newfound walking partner, Joanne will also be travelling with her service dog, Lulu, who Joanne has been training herself with support from Zoe Heard at Posh Paws.

The 10-month old service dog already alerts her owner to seizures and wakes her from nocturnal attacks. Joanne says the two of them are “inseparable.”

Founded in 1950, Epilepsy Action is a national charity working to provide information, support and training with the aim of creating a world without limits for people with epilepsy.