We've created this team because..
On the 22nd of December 2020, my last day of work for the year, I drove myself to a neurologist appointment expecting him to say the bizarre episodes I was experiencing had something to do with stress. Twenty minutes later I was diagnosed with Left Temporal Lobe epilepsy at the age of 38.
My drivers license was taken from me immediately and I was told I could not drive myself home. I was shattered. I did not understand what was happening. I had to make decisions about medication immediately for a disability I had no knowledge about. Needless to say Christmas with my family of seven that year was a little rough.
My short journey with epilepsy so far has had its ups and downs. Getting my drivers license back for 3 months then losing it again for the foreseeable future. Then the decision to sell my car. The three different types of medication I have tried so far at different dosages to keep the seizures under control. Trying to navigate the side affects of medication like depression and memory loss. Starting a new job and having to tell my employer I have epilepsy, and the worry about judgement that might come with that. The week long of uncontrollable seizures a few months into my new job that came out of the blue. How epilepsy makes you question your mortality and what's most important. At the back of your mind always anxious about the next time I will have a seizure, not if.
My story is only one of many, and one where epilepsy's impact has been less severe. Think about that.
It took me nearly 12 months from my diagnosis to openly share my story. It was last years Walk for Epilepsy that created a platform that connected me with others who knew what I was experiencing, and made me feel it was ok to open up. So many people in my network of friends, family and colleagues have their own personal stories about themselves or loved ones that really brought to the fore how common epilepsy is, how vastly different people's experiences are, but also much further we need to go to educate others.
Please help me by giving whatever you can using the 'Give Now' button or join our team!
The more people that know about the walk, the greater the impact, so please also spread the word by sharing our page with your friends, family and colleagues. Thank you in advance for your generosity, it means a lot!
Carina and Co. x
Our Achievements
Logged first KM
50% Distance Target
100% Distance Target
Thank you to our Sponsors
$1.8k
Besen
$1,000
Mo
Good job mate
$1,000
Aloha Pools
Well done Bart Hope you don’t get eaten by a shark Best wishes Trav and the Aloha team
$570
James + Rita Klapanis
An incredible effort for a very worthy cause. Sending you our best wishes and ongoing support!
$520
Darryl Smith
Good luck with the rowing Bart
$520
Tony & David
Keep on Rowing!! A great cause and the bonus of working off a few Sicilian pounds.
$520
Best Hooper Lawyers
Go Bart ! Well done !
$520
Gab & Bryce Patterson
Go Bart !
$500
Eifers Civil Pty Ltd
Great work my wife has epilepsy and definitely needs more awareness
$500
Jellis Craig Boroondara
Well done mate!
$264
Euan C Morrison
Merrily Merrily
$264
Dean And Fiona
Row on Macduff!!
$264
Jack Byrne
Great effort Bart!!
$250
Joel Palan
$250
Tim Roberts
Congratulations Bart on this important initiative. 100km is a long way. Good luck!
$250
Acoustic Logic
$211
Kate & Ken Damm
Great effort for a worthy cause, Bart
$211
Eván Dimitropoulos
A huge effort for a very worthy cause. Good luck Bart!
$211
Jack Tronson
Great work, best of luck.
$211
Peksoon Kwan
All the best Bart!
$200
Roberts Co
Good luck Bart!
$158
Holly Johnson
Amazing work Carina!
$158
Tania Abbotto
Good luck Carina and Bart. Thanks for sharing your story. I'll be cheering you on!
$158
Simon, Dan + Bruce
Go team O’callbrews
$158
Doug, Val, Keira And Nick
Good luck and thanks for sharing your story.
$125
David Tancredi
Good Luck Bart
$106
Clare O’callaghan
Tessy All the best for your walk to raise funds for Epilepsy. GMB n Pxx
$106
Tony O’callaghan
Well done Tessy, Inspirational stuff for a great cause. Love you. Uncle Tone
$106
Britt Hodgson
Good luck Carina and Bart!
$106
Vinci Carbone Property
Good luck Bart.
$106
The Morrison's
Go Bart, Go!
$106
Liz Astruc
Great Work Carina!! We will be cheering you on!
$106
Craig Shearer
Great stuff mate. Love it.
$106
Loch & Soph
Good stuff Bart!
$106
Bayley Stuart
Nice work Bart, hope the body holds up.
$106
James Morgan-payler
Nice work Bart
$106
Justin Gardner
Good luck with the rowing Bart
$106
Louise Brewster
You are amazing Carina 😘 xx
$106
Eva Ye
ALL THE BEST!!!
$106
Ken Gray
Awesome effort and commitment Bart. Like yours, our family has also been touched by a long term battle with epilepsy, so we have some sense of what you are going through. All the best to you and Carina
$106
Dan Auld
Good on you Bart, great work.
$106
Kel Twite
$106
Fiona & Steve Lee
Wonderful work Carina and co. We’re cheering you on x
$106
Scott Pickett
good luck buddy well done!
$106
Pat Conway
$106
Cadre Pty Ltd
$106
David Carabott
$106
Ben Dowd
All the best with the walking & running Carina!
$106
Rob Taggart
Congratulations Bart...fantastic work.
$100
Gledden Family
Love your enthusiasm Tess! Genuinely walking the walk. Best wishes from the Gledden family xxx
$100
Anthony Brian Jackson
$100
Ross Nicholson
Well done Bart. Your a champion
$100
Loc Nguyen
$100
Clare Cousins Architects
$100
Intech3 Pty Ltd
All the best for this very worthwhile cause.
$100
Sarah Mcwhirter
$100
Freadman White
Well done Bart
$79
Marion Lim
$79
Patrick Ryan
$79
Gwil Jones
Keep going Bartman
$79
Adam De Guara
Great Effort Bart!! Wonderful cause!!
$79
Jerome Alexander Madden
$79
Zane Petkovic
$79
Sandra Pesavento
I hope you smash your goal this year! Go team
$53
Catherine Fleming
Good on you Tess a very worthy cause
$53
Marnie Benney
You got this in the bag Karen! Great cause
$53
Emma O’callaghan
Great work Tessy
$53
Emma O’callaghan
Great work Rubes!
$53
Leonie Curulli
Great Tessie, proud of you for supporting a good cause. Love you Onie x
$53
Liam Foley
$53
Michael Lennon
$53
Damian Saffin
Great effort Bart and for such a wonderful cause.
$53
Nexon Asia Pacific & Seer Medical (aust)
Your donation was proudly matched by our supporting partners Nexon Asia Pacific & Seer Medical (Aust). Thank you for your support.
$53
Jonathan West
Well done mate . Huge effort for a great cause
$53
Anna
Great cause, go Karen
$53
Mark Lennon
Great work Bart and great cause 👍
$53
Em Shaddick
Good luck Bart. Carina is very brave thank you for sharing your personal story with me :)
$53
Anne-maree & Ken Frost
$53
Anonymous
$53
Maria Llontop
You are a true inspiration, Carina! Im just hoping that my little contribution will add a little tiny bit of encouragement and help for those who need it most. Take care
$53
Campbell Ward
Great work Bart!
$53
Lizzie Clancy
Great work Tess, lots of love Lizzie Clancy x
$53
Jason Palmer
Keep going!! Amazing work!
$53
John Wee
Amazing effort Bart
$53
Josh Buxton
$53
Luke Robertson
Great job Guys for a great cause.
$53
Katrina Raymond
Best of luck to you Bart. I have a close friend with epilepsy and have seen how debilitating it can be. I hope Carina is coping OK, Katrina
$53
Jason Egbers
Well done Carina
$53
Karen Noble
$53
Marie Maddern
$53
Finn Warnock
$53
Callum Tribe
$53
Julian Dart
$53
Nicole Aquilina
100kms WOW! I’m in awe of you. You go girl 💪
$53
Dennis Chew
Been awhile Bart. Hope you well. Row on
$53
Patrice Chan
$53
Charmaine And Carly
This is so great Bart! Much love for all you and Carina have faced with a new diagnosis. Looking forward to seeing how fit you are at the end of all of this! Keep rowing! You're nearly there! Great cause too - we know how supportive the foundation is and how important funds are for it to continue.
$50
Adam Fahim
Super effort Bart, all the best mate!
$50
Nexon Asia Pacific & Seer Medical (aust)
Your donation was proudly matched by our supporting partners Nexon Asia Pacific & Seer Medical (Aust). Thank you for your support.
$50
Sarah Le Couteur
Amazing work, well done!
$50
Emily Bush
$50
Darren Hynd
All the best Bart
$50
Melanie Steenbuck
Such an inspiration!!
$50
Kaz
Stay swift and strong! xx
$30
Boyco Boychev
Go Bart!
$26
Lee Turner
All the best with it mate. Make sure you have good shoes! :-)
$26
Quila Cervelli
You're incredible!! Backing you 100%!
$26
Jt
Awesome effort Carina!
$26
Studio Cd Design
You can do this!
$26
Shelley Dodd
Hi Carina, Thank you for sharing your story and providing insight to what many people have never considered. Education and Awareness is so important.
$26
Qualia Creative
No pain. No gain. Great work mate.
$26
James Moore
Good Luck! great cause
$26
Bart O’callaghan
$26
Renata Nickels
Absolute Superstar!
$26
Chris Efthimiou
$25
Mysterious Al
Good luck mate!
$11
1300 437 453
walk@walkforepilepsy.org.au
