Help others with Epilepsy to be brave!

Hi, I'm Gemma, I'm 29 years old and have had Epilepsy for 12 years and will have it for the rest of my life.

Throughout having the condition, I've always been asked "are you sure you should do that?" Epilepsy can understandably hold a lot of people back, and at times it has held me back, too. For example at University, I ended up in hospital due to my Epilepsy, but completed my Degree with a 2:1. I could have quit but I don't give up easily.

I started going to the Gym in 2018, when my Epilepsy was stable, as a way to boost my mental health and cope with the stress of being an adult! Throughout those years, I've always wanted to push myself, but always asked myself "am I sure I can do that?" This year, my amazing PT and I discussed the idea of me doing a Competition, but decided it would be too strenuous on my body and possibly trigger my condition. So we then chose for me to do a Gym Shoot, which involves very strict prep, nutrition, and substantial training. I have had ups and downs through the last 3 months of prep but, together with my PT, we have managed it well and I am doing my Gym Shoot on Wednesday 3rd July. As part of this, I want to help others be brave when they aren't sure and to give them confidence when they lack it. Therefore, I'm raising money to benefit Epilepsy Research Institute UK, and any donation will help make an impact. Thank you so much in advance for your contribution to this cause that means so much, not only to me, but many others either directly or indirectly impacted by this condition.

More information about Epilepsy Research Institute UK: The Epilepsy Research Institute’s mission is to radically advance research for the 1 in 100 people living with epilepsy.

A life free from epilepsy is possible. But only through research.