The Big Walk For The Big Fight- against sexual assault

My name is Jemma, and in March of 2022, at 22 years old, two men changed how I would live for the rest of my life. I was assaulted after a family 50th, walking through the city to a friend's birthday, soon followed by a seizure later that night, which at times felt like the beginning of the end. Not a day has gone by that I have not been affected by that night 3 years ago, something I never thought would happen to me, until it did. 1 in 5 women and 1 in 16 men will experience sexual assault before the age of 15, so this May, I will be walking for 15 hours, aiming for over 50km, to raise money for the GraceTame Foundation to help win this fight on Sunday, the 25th.

Although that night, having a seizure that would soon be followed by hundreds more. I now have a diagnosis of epileptic and non epileptic seizures. Initially induced by a trauma, meaning every time I seize, I am reminded of those two men and so many others who selfishly ruined a part of so many women and men's lives. With the help of medication, my seizures will have periods of being under control and then many months where they are not. This didn’t just impact me it has impacted friends, family, my ability to do simple tasks such as drive, and so much more, so I rely on my support system every day, one I am so grateful for. 

I’ve seen the inside of a hospital more frequently than I’d like over the last few months, so I have to do something that is doable for me. Although I would love to aim for more, this is what I am working with, and I would appreciate any donations or walking buddies along the way.