Reasons Behind this expedition

I have been asked on several occasions the reasons why I am doing this trip, well, there is no one definite answer. Kayaking is a beautiful peaceful way of exploring the coast line and open seas, plus the only cost apart from the kit is food to fuel your body, its non intrusive on the landscape.

Many of you may or may not be aware that I suffer from a form of Epilepsy (Complex Partial Seizures), only recently being diagnosed in August last year. Obviously the diagnosis was a shock, but, life goes on. This expedition is not about proving my capability as an epileptic sufferer, I would have done it anyway.

Another reason is to give people an understanding of what this illness can be like and how there is such a lack of understanding about it. For example there is no actual test that proves 100% you have Epilepsy. My brother also has this illness, after undergoing tests for nearly a year it was not proven that he had epilepsy. However he and his wife nearly died when he had a seizure while he was driving his car down the M25. My diagnosis is based on my brother, family history and symptoms rather than concrete test results. Surely in the 21^st Century modern medicine should have an understanding of an illness that has been around for thousands years.

Another factor which people need to be aware of is that 1% of the population suffer from Epilepsy. Surely when more people die in a year of epileptic seizures than die of Aids more research and money is required. Many specialists will say Epilepsy is not genetic, if these assumptions are correct why are there are so many Epileptics in my family?

There are so many questions that need to be answered, this is why I have chosen to raise as much money and awareness for a charity called Epilepsy Bereaved. They really are an incredible organisation who over the years have pushed for more awareness and answers. They help families both present and past who have suffered because of Epilepsy. The charity was created by five women, one who is my Aunt Susan Kelk.

(For more information please follow the link below)

http://www.sudep.org/

Money needs to be invested especially by the government into research, surely its time this illness came out of the dark and into the light.

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO DONATE PLEASE FOLLOW THIS LINK TO OUR JUST GIVING SITE

http://www.justgiving.com/vaughanroberts1