Purple power to the rescue
BOOT CAMP SHINES LIGHT ON EPILEPSY
OAK VALLEY’S Lacy Collin was just six years old when she had her first seizure.
Her mother Wendy described it as a frightening experience, especially with little information or understanding of how to help her daughter.
“When she was first diagnosed it was very sudden, a sudden onset of a seizure, out of the blue, it lasted almost 45 minutes,” Ms Collin said.
“It was a bit emotional and stressful at the time.”
Ms Collin has been an active member of Epilepsy Queensland ever since Lacy was diagnosed with Cortical Displacement with epilepsy.
She said the organisation helped her to understand the condition and helped her to appropriately educate those around her daughter.
“We reached out to them to get additional support, to answer some questions not being answered by our neurologist,” she said.
“They were able to offer education for my husband and I, for her school and any babysitters … we had to have someone with her all the time that can deal with issues that may arise.”
A personal trainer, Ms Collin has invited Townsville residents to take part in her “epilepsy boot camp”, a personal training session raising funds for Epilepsy Queensland's Purple Day.
The event will be held tomorrow at 9am at Wulguru State School and the participation cost is $5.
“It’s open to the public, I’ve got my clients, I’ve been able to get another personal trainer that is coming down to help and support,” Ms Collin said.
“It’s open to anyone that wants to come down … they will get a great workout … we will have a bit of merchandise from Epilepsy Queensland available for sale too.”
Lacy said she was also excited to do her part and help to raise funds.
“I have a little box of stuff … it has different types of stuff, little animals, some bracelets and a little ribbon … it will be good,” she said.
“It’s about creating conversations around epilepsy … getting across that anything is possible, it leads into keeping mental and physical health,” Ms Collin said.
Ms Collin is part of a local epilepsy support group in Townsville which meets once a month. This month’s meeting will take place after her boot camp at The Strand where the mums will view some of the purple illuminations Townsville City Council is putting on for Purple Day.
The Strand fountain will be dyed purple until March 26 and the George Roberts Bridge will also be lit up for Purple Day on March 26.