Family Vacation

We took our first family vacation in seven years this past Memorial Day weekend. It was a beautiful location in the mountains of Boone, North Carolina. We rented a cabin called Troutsong. There was a trout stream just below the cabin. It was so peaceful.

However, this weekend did raise a question that had not occurred to us previously. Does change in elevation trigger seizures? If it does, Ryan seemed to be mostly unaffected. He had a few myoclonic jerks when we first got up the mountain to the cabin and then some more after we drove down the mountain and got to the airport. Yet we were able to drive almost to the top of Grandfather Mountain, which totals 5,946 feet high, without any Epilepsy issues. (I will admit, my fear of heights and being the sole driver did pose a problem with our making it to the top.) We were also able to go into the tight knit space within the mountain at Linville Caverns without any Epilepsy issues. (Although Ryan’s height in those low lying cavern ceilings was another story.)

Most people with Epilepsy will tell you that it is near impossible to make any plans. This is because you can never plan when the Epilepsy will flare. We were incredibly fortunate to have not only made these plans but were also able to go and enjoy our family vacation together.

Since we have been home, we have tried to get back into our usual routine. Another not so easy task. However, we are doing the best we can. We were excited to come home to find the pair of shoes donated by HOKA had arrived. Also we were able to fully set up for donations through the ROC Stop Seizures website in addition to giving sponsors recognition for their support to both ROC Stop Seizures and the Journey of 1000 Miles.

In the end, we are happy we were able to get away and that we were all able to enjoy the vacation with limited Epilepsy interference. Hopefully the next time goes even smoother. Yes, there will be a next time and it won’t be seven years until it happens!