Sharon’s Ride for Epilepsy San Diego

Depending on when you met me in the epilepsy community, you may know me as a poised advocate who always seems to have his camera or you might know me as a nervous neurological wreck. When I first visited the Epilepsy Foundation of San Diego County last February, I was the awkward version of myself.

Sharon's Ride.Run.Walk for Epilepsy 2014 was held on Sunday March 30, in San Diego, California. The 15th Annual event benefits the Epilepsy Foundation of San Diego County. (bryan farley)

This year I was much more comfortable. I knew the routine and I even recognized some of the people from last year’s event.

Sharon's Ride.Run.Walk for Epilepsy 2014 was held on Sunday March 30, in San Diego, California. The 15th Annual event benefits the Epilepsy Foundation of San Diego County. (bryan farley)

People seemed to recognize me too! On the day before this year’s walk, I visited the office. I was much more relaxed. I want to say that I acted like myself, but that is only partially true. I also acted like myself when I was nervous and scared. Sharon’s Ride, and similar events, helps me feel less scared.

Sharon's Ride.Run.Walk for Epilepsy 2014 was held on Sunday March 30, in San Diego, California. The 15th Annual event benefits the Epilepsy Foundation of San Diego County. (bryan farley)

If you want to see more photographs from the event, you can jump to the photo slideshow. I shot about 700 images, which is not many for an event with about 2500 people. I will add more photos to my gallery during the next week. If you have special requests, please comment on Facebook to keep the thread active. If you do not use FB, you can always use the comment section below. ( Nubry’s Britt and Gretchen might have social media suggestions posted on their site.)

Sharon's Ride.Run.Walk for Epilepsy 2014 was held on Sunday March 30, in San Diego, California. The 15th Annual event benefits the Epilepsy Foundation of San Diego County. (bryan farley)

Two other photographers shot the team photos and finish line photos. As links to those images become available, I will try to include a link at the end of this post. One “official photographer” is responsible for me being interviewed by the local news station yesterday. I have heard from several people that I did OK on air. If that link becomes available, I will attach it too. Did anyone see the newscast? I am grateful to discuss how events such as these are improving lives like mine.

Added on 4/1/14

Sharon's Ride.Run.Walk for Epilepsy 2014 was held on Sunday March 30, in San Diego, California. The 15th Annual event benefits the Epilepsy Foundation of San Diego County. (bryan farley)

Thank you for all the compliments. I am excited that you enjoy my work. The first twenty plus years, I did not see that epilepsy was a gift. If I could have returned epilepsy to God or the epilepsy store, I would have done so. At best, I had the March Madness motto towards epilepsy, “survive and advance.” Just, survive and advance.

Sharon's Ride.Run.Walk for Epilepsy 2014 was held on Sunday March 30, in San Diego, California. The 15th Annual event benefits the Epilepsy Foundation of San Diego County. (bryan farley)

Now I feel like celebrating with my epilepsy family every day, so I travel to events and share my pictures. I also share my emotions, because that is what families do. We support each other. I believe that Jim Valvano, the former North Carolina State coach coined the “survive and advance” phrase about the NCAA Tournament. Shortly before he died from cancer, he spoke about living a full day. “If you laugh, you think, and you cry, that’s a full day.” Living with epilepsy is a full day… a good day.

You can spend a full day just trying to find my event photos inside the blog. I have tried to post a few links here to make it easier. If you really prefer Facebook, I added more photos on my Bryan Farley Facebook page HERE. You can tag, share and comment there if you wish too. You can also view the slideshow on my website. I re-posted it HERE. Eventually, someone will find my KUSI interview and post in the comments.

Thank you,

bf

6 Responses to “Sharon’s Ride for Epilepsy San Diego”

  1. Hi there,

    I was at the event and I am looking forward to your photos. Can you please tell me where I can find links to other photographers photos too. Thank you!

    Elizabeth Reininger

    • bryan farley says:

      Elizabeth,

      Let’s see if you can find my photos first. I added links to the bottom of my post. I will add more photos to the same gallery.

      Thank you,

      bf

  2. Alice J Pierson-Knapp says:

    good way to start the day!

  3. bryan farley says:

    it was a great event; the second time was even better.

    I have been searching for the link to the news interview, but I have not seen the full coverage yet. Someone posted a 30 second news clip from the walk on Facebook and I looked smart enough.

    I thought that the reporter was just collecting recorded interviews, but I guess they were live; I just started talking. Somewhere there is a two-minute response. You know what they say, “give a public speaker epilepsy, a teaching credential and 29 years, and he can sound smart for two minutes.”

    I think they say that. 🙂

  4. […] and trust. When Jodi contacted me, she mentioned seeing pictures from a San Diego event that I had photographed a few years ago. (The 18th Sharon’s Ride benefiting the Epilepsy Foundation for San Diego County was […]

  5. […] and trust. When Jodi contacted me, she mentioned seeing pictures from a San Diego event that I had photographed a few years ago. (The 18th Sharon’s Ride benefiting the Epilepsy Foundation for San Diego County was today.) […]