700km trek for epilepsy beckons
EX-VETERAN and epileptic Craig Franklin would walk 1000 miles and more to change society’s debilitating view of epilepsy, although he’s settling for 700km.
The 45-year-old Brisbane man and his seizure dog Opal plan to walk from Dalby to Roma in preparation for the Walk for Epilepsy charity fundraiser on October 1, where the pair will continue their cross country trek to Rubyvale.
Mr Franklin, known as ‘Nobody,’ said it wasn’t despite his epilepsy but because of it, that he was determined to take to the open road to show other sufferers that life doesn’t have to end with a diagnosis.
“It’s terrifying to know that at any moment you could have a fall and not come back, but epilepsy is not a death sentence,” he said.
“At the end of the day I could die at home but why not go out doing something I love.
“People with epilepsy are usually homebodies, I am too, but I want to show others that it shouldn’t stop them from getting out living life and doing the things they want.”
The father of three was honest about having a checkered past and said he’d entered a stage of his life where he was trying to do good in the world after witnessing too many people end their lives in despair.
“This isn’t about the money,
that’s just plastic, this is about awareness,” he said.
“If I can help just one young fella or girl, and stop them from killing themselves because of their epilepsy, just one spark of change in someone, it will be worth it.”
Opal will be by Mr Franklin’s side every step of the way as they nap by streams at midday and trek beneath the stars at night. “I’ve had him for five years and we have an incredible bond – he’s my everything,” he said. “If I have a seizure coming on, he’ll let me know and knock my legs out so I don’t have a bad fall.
“If one of us gets tired then we both take a break from pulling the cart.”
With nothing but necessities, fossicking gear, and the adoration of his proud daughters, ‘Nobody’ and Opal plan to walk the 500km from Roma to Rubyvale in 25 days.
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