Whether it’s racing to win, ticking off a bucket list item, or supporting a cause, every athlete who lines up for the Kathmandu Coast to Coast is there for a reason. And Christchurch-based Glenn Livingstone is no different. Having competed in the iconic eventnine times before, Glen’s main motivation as he takes on the 2023 edition is to spread awareness and raise vital funds for Epilepsy New Zealand and their Seizure Smart Programmes.

His relationship with the organisation is deeply personal. Forty years ago, Glen started to experience small twitches before they culminated in a seizure while at a camp. He was diagnosed with Petit Mal Epilepsy, which involves brief and sudden lapses of consciousness.

The Kathmandu Coast to Coast is an event that has got in Livingston’s blood, but he now feels he can’t go out there and compete just for himself. “I want to race to raise the profile of Epilepsy New Zealand and the work they do to support people who live with Epilepsy. I want to destigmatise it and own it because I have the condition myself. And to demonstrate to people that those who live with Epilepsy can still participate in a reasonably normal life. Go out, set goals, and achieve them”, he adds.

Epilepsy is diagnosed after a person experiences at least two unprovoked seizures caused due to a disruption to electrical activity in the brain, leading to a change in a person’s movement, behaviour, level of awareness and feelings. There are over 40 types of Epilepsy, and seizures vary significantly between people, with approximately 1% of the New Zealand population currently living with the condition.

The knowledge and understanding of Epilepsy aren’t well known to most people, especially those in their younger years, with 1 in 200 students living with epilepsy in New Zealand. Epilepsy is so much more than just seizures, and the impact on concentration, memory and learning can have lasting effects. Epilepsy can significantly impact a child’s experience at school due to the impact of seizures and medication. The stigma and discrimination still felt by many living with epilepsy today can also contribute to these difficulties.

Epilepsy New Zealand aims to educate and provide resources to reduce the impact on those affected. By providing education, knowledge, and awareness through the Seizure Smart Learning Programmes, they can support Epilepsy Warriors to lead lives of choice and control through mana-enhancing support.

“Supporting Epilepsy Warriors is about honouring and empowering people who live with Epilepsy who continue to fight through the odds, are determined, don’t give up and want to break down the stigma and discrimination that living with this condition can bring,” says Livingstone.

Glen is raising funds as he trains for the Kathmandu Coast to Coast 2023, which will equip communities with the knowledge and tools to support people with Epilepsy.

To find out more about Glen’s journey and support his worthwhile cause, please visit www.epilepsy.org.nz/you-can-help/support-our-current-appeal