Tayla Sinfield

I’m taking part in Walk for Epilepsy because...

 This October, my family and I are running 100km for the Epilepsy Foundation in honour of our brother Koby, who has been living with epilepsy since he was just one. Long before his diagnosis, he endured countless seizures that went unnoticed, and since then, epilepsy has impacted nearly every part of his life.

He has spent months in hospital at a time, missing out on the crucial early years of schooling, which has left him with long-term learning difficulties. Despite being a bright, social and resilient kid, epilepsy has taken away so many opportunities to enjoy a carefree childhood. 

Living in a rural town, three hours from the city, he has been flown to Adelaide many times with the Royal Flying Doctor Service for urgent treatment. Our family also makes the three-hour journey for his endless appointments and therapies multiple times each week, which has been an exhausting challenge for us all.

His epilepsy has been very difficult to medicate as his body is resistant to many of the prescribed medications. He is currently on five different medications, morning and night, and has trialled close to 15 in total, with most only working for a short time, or not at all. He has even trialled the medical ketogenic diet, and his next step will be brain surgery interstate.

The heartbreak lies not only in the medical struggles, but also in the countless everyday experiences he misses out on because of this terrible disease.

By running 100km, we hope to raise awareness and funds to support the Epilepsy Foundation, who are dedicated to improving the lives of people with epilepsy and their families. Every donation, no matter how small, will help make a difference for children like Koby, who face battles no child should ever have to endure.