National Walk for Epilepsy
Dorothy Gale! This morning when I woke up in my own bed, I finally had an explanation to my recent eight day odyssey. I had survived three (?) Emerald Cities in eight days. I photographed two epilepsy awareness walks (Here are photos from yesterday’s National Walk for Epilepsy). My adventure included lions and super shuttles and service dogs. On Friday night, there was a tornado warning in Washington, D.C. Two nights earlier, the storm nearly trapped me in Chicago.
My blind faith was tested often the last eight days. When I photographed the Epilepsy Foundation of San Diego County fundraiser, I felt disoriented. I was in the valley of the blind… and I was not the person who had one eye. I needed a service dog just as much as anyone else.
On Wednesday, I left Oakland for Washington. Because of the Midwest storm, I barely made my connecting flight.… Read the rest
Operating Instructions – Photographer With Epilepsy
I am in the Washington, D.C. area preparing for the National Walk for Epilepsy. Last Sunday, I photographed the 2013 Sharon’s Ride.Run.Walk for the Epilepsy Foundation of San Diego County, and though I processed the photos, I have not fully processed the experience. During the San Diego walk, I felt the emotional cost of being a photographer with my neurological condition. I see things, often from different perspectives. I am often wrong I perceived something before my time. I create. I believe, hope and dream of flying… and I often crash. My condition has also trained me to rinse and repeat. Often. I have bruises and broken wings.
Every bird needs a little love, whether we have epilepsy and/or broken wings. Vultures, Ravens and Blackbirds need love. Sheryl Crow needs love. Some of us might have the unreasonable demand that the world stop spinning so fast, but I can still pray for love.… Read the rest
Epilepsy Foundation Northern California 2012 Candlelight Gala
Last week I attended the Epilepsy Foundation of Northern California Candlelight Gala. In previous year, I have missed the gala, because I had already committed to a journalism education conference in a different part of the country. This year, the Journalism Education Association has their Fall conference two weeks later, I can attend both events.
I am not sure what I had expected, but the event was better than I had imagined. For those of us who live in the epilepsy world, we are often isolated. Many people do not know what we experience, whether we have epilepsy or whether we work in the field. At the gala, most people appreciated the desire to connect. This year’s gala was especially meaningful, because two national leaders discussed a new merger that will increase connections. Phil Gattone of the Epilepsy Foundation and Warren Lammert of the Epilepsy Therapy Project shared the new vision for our movement.… Read the rest
Therapy Dogs and St Francis
Today is the Feast Day of Francis of Assisi.
Saint Francis is associated with nature and animals. Next Sunday, many churches will bless animals during Sunday service. Dogs have become increasingly important for people with epilepsy and other illnesses. I referred to dog therapy in my latest featured blog post for the Epilepsy Foundation of America.
In the blog post, I also included photos from my last visit with my wonderful neurologist.
In other epilepsy therapy news, the Epilepsy Foundation and The Epilepsy Therapy Project announced a merger today.
Live Music with the Wil Gravatt Band
One month ago, I traveled to Washington DC for the National Walk for Epilepsy. The night I arrived, the Wil Gravatt Band was performing downtown at the Hill Country Boot Bar. Wil Gravatt operates Wil Gravatt Entertainment when he is not performing. Wil also helps my friend Chad Barth organize the Concert for Epilepsy.
In 2007, Chad started the benefit to honor his sister. The first event, a “Karaoke-off,” raised $2,500. By 2011, Chad had recruited experienced event organizers and he was able to organize a benefit concert with two well known country acts. Gravatt deserves some credit for sharing his expertise with Chad. I have only met Wil a few times, but each time, he feels like an old friend. I am looking forward to September when we have the 6th Annual Concert for Epilepsy.
BF
2012 National Walk for Epilepsy
When I attended my first National Walk for Epilepsy in 2010, I was overwhelmed. After photographing The Concert for Epilepsy the previous night, I was tired. I was also nervous and had trouble seeing… not a good combination for a photographer.
Last year, when my family attended with me. It snowed the morning of the walk. My fingers could barely operate the camera, and my family did not prepare for cold weather.
This year, the 6th Annual National Walk for Epilepsy, I almost got it right.
If you are a novice photographer, forgive yourself if you do not take many great photos. With thousands of people at the walk, almost every picture is a moving giant group photo (with a mixed race family). I love diversity, but it is difficult to photograph, especially when everyone wears a different colored shirt. And in case you are wondering… no, we do not consult a color wheel.… Read the rest
National Walk for Epilepsy VIP Reception
On Friday March 30, the Epilepsy Foundation of America held the 2012 National Walk for Epilepsy VIP Reception. Eisai sponsored the event. It was held at the National Museum of Women in the Arts the evening before the National Walk for Epilepsy. I embedded a 39 picture photo gallery below the initial photos.
At the event, EFA honored Howard Koh and his part at creating the Institute of Medicine Report on the Spectrum of Epilepsy. According to Tony Coelho, the IOM would not have released the report if not for Dr. Koh.
Several other prominent epilepsy advocates attended the event, including Susan Axelrod and Carmita Vaughan from CURE Citizens United for Research in Epilepsy. (I saw Carmita at the walk the next morning also.) Many others attended. If you can identify them, would you please use the comment section and add names and affiliations if relevant? I will update the blog post periodically and add names and links to sites.… Read the rest
Concert for Epilepsy to Raise Awareness
This March, my children attended the Concert for Epilepsy with me and my wife. As the official photographer for The Concert for Epilepsy, I have remarkable access to the artists. I meet the artists and discuss epilepsy with them. This week, after my daughter and I witnessed a stranger having a seizure, I remembered the importance of the concert. Raising awareness is an important part of the fundraiser.
Chad Barth organizes the event in honor of his sister Christina. The concert is one of the events during the National Walk for Epilepsy in Washington, D.C. Chad has helped us reach a new audience with his concert. Local radio and television stations support the concert. National companies sponsor us now. Each year, the concert grows, and 2012 will be even larger than 2011 when two multiplatinum acts performed.
This week, my daughter and I witnessed a stranger having a seizure. My daughter Emily was scared.… Read the rest
I am a visual art educator and advocate.
I am also an advocate for visual arts education.