AMANDA: It’s kind of a love/hate relationship because it’s fun, and if you go early in the morning, it’s great because if the tide’s gone out, the sand is a lot more packed so it’s harder, so it’s easier to run on. But it’s really beautiful, and it’s kind of a toss-up between being, like, if I go first thing in the morning, versus in the afternoon. It’s beautiful either way, but definitely a lot harder to run on in the afternoon, like, once the sand’s all dried out and you just sink right in if you’re wearing sneakers. And if you are wearing sneakers, taking your socks off later when you get home? It’s just – sand, rock everywhere!
[Fran laughs]
AMANDA (cont’): It’s love/hate. Definitely love/hate...
FRAN (In studio): Hello, adventurers. I'm Fran Turauskis, and you are listening to Seize Your Adventure. As you just heard from that little snippet, this is going to be a fun episode. A couple of months back, I spoke to Amanda Plomp, a runner with epilepsy who's based in Canada. Now, in the last episode, she told us the story of how finding running helped her to reconnect with her body after years of living with epilepsy, and how attending races around the world actually helped her to accept her diagnosis. If you haven't heard that story yet, I'm sure you do have a good reason, but do just head back one episode before you listen to this one, it will help things make more sense. I am not promising complete sense, though. This episode was really hard to edit and that's not because of the sound quality or because of Amanda's answers, but purely because Amanda and I talked for literally hours. We went off on quite a few wild tangents, but I did want to make sure that what I gave to you was the information that you wanted, and that we wanted to give, rather than my ramblings about why half pints of beer are pretty awesome. So I'm excited for you to hear this, and I won't make you wait much longer.
I did just want to say that all of the stories and opinions in this episode are, of course, mine and Amanda's personal ones. There are some things that we do, and some things that we speak about that we both admit, can be risky. We are not, I repeat, not advocating for you to copy us. Everyone is responsible for their own individual decisions made with regards to adventure sports on medical conditions. Having said that, there are also some great bits of advice for runners with epilepsy and some information about how to limit the risks when you are running in races and when you're running alone. So here it is my chat with a runner and, although she won't admit it, an athlete with epilepsy, Amanda Plomp:
FRAN (to AMANDA): So just to start us off, you mentioned in the story that you were diagnosed when you were about 14 with something called Juvenile Myoclonic Epilepsy of Janz, which, even if you're familiar with epilepsy, seems like quite a lot of words there. So can you just explain what that-- what that basically means?
AMANDA: I believe that-- breaking it down is Janz was the person who first identified it in whenever-- when it was first identified as a type of epilepsy. It meant predominantly myclonic seizures, even though there were still tonic-clonic. But most of them would be myoclonic. It’s more common in teenagers who are experiencing it. And that's who's most often diagnosed with that type of epilepsy.
FRAN: Okay, and the myoclonic are the ones that you mentioned in the story where you get the jerks, arm movements, leg movements and that kind of thing?
AMANDA: Yeah, just they’re smaller. They're very, very quick for me. Um, and they can be just one moment motion. I can sometimes hold on to what I'm grasping, whether it's a pen or, uh ah, coffee mug. But sometimes it's-- if I'm running, it means I’ll trip just because of the momentum.
FRAN: And, you don't actually have that official diagnosis anymore. You have a bit more of a broad diagnosis. But do you still experience the same kind of seizures?
AMANDA: Yes, I do still have them. They decided that it might have been prematurely-- prematurely diagnosed. And now my neurologist is trying to figure out what I actually might have with different testing, eegs, MRIs. But I still have the myoclonic seizures as well as the tonic-clonics.
FRAN: So that's something which you obviously have learned to live with since you were 14, and it was during university that you managed to move past the epilepsy label a little bit. So what-- what during that time was the biggest change that meant that you could-- you could start living with it a little bit more?
AMANDA: There really wasn't a change. I was just pushing through. I moved to a new city at that time and didn't have a lot of a family and didn't have any friends who were from before. So if I chose not to tell anybody, I didn't have to acknowledge it because nobody would know. So it was-- there wasn't a lot of change in university, as far as the medication or the seizures. It just meant I could pretend it wasn't there.
FRAN: But, you now have a blog about your epilepsy and you're obviously very confident talking about it to me and confident talking about it to more people. Why did you decide to start the blog in particular?
AMANDA: I started the blog after I did a race in Anaheim and that was when I had met a number of people who were there to support different groups. So I went to a support group when I got back to Calgary in Canada, and I realized that sometimes there aren't a lot of people who are looking forward to their futures when they have medical conditions. I didn't really realize otherwise, and I was kind of shocked by that. That there was so little positive support. So I wanted to share the details about the things that I was doing with running as an epileptic, in the hopes that it might help someone start considering their options going forward.
FRAN: Yeah, fantastic. And obviously that's something which, when you-- when you write about that, you write very clearly about the positives and the negatives. So the things that you can do, and the stuff that sometimes is affecting your-- your ability to run as your would like-- the seizures, the myoclonic ones causing you to trip and that kind of thing. And, when you-- when you're talking to people in everyday life about epilepsy, how do you approach those conversations now?
AMANDA: Well, I certainly start with clarifying that I am not a medical professional. But I don't mind bringing it up at any time. And it's really amazing how many people do actually know someone with a seizure condition and people are impacted by that and by knowing someone. And I like to provide that information to help others learn more about it. It's such a major part of my life, and it always has been. But now there's no point to me-- to leaving it out. If I'm discussing running injuries, work anything like that. This it's such a major facet of my life and I don't want to be ignoring it anymore
FRAN: So, very quickly, you did say in the story that you-- when you went traveling and you went backpacking, you didn't, at that time, wear any kind of medical alert jewelry or anything like that. Do you wear that now, or is it something, which you just tend to to tell people face to face?
AMANDA: I occasionally wear one now. I'm not a great example for that. I do keep my medical information in my running waistband, in my purse if I go out and in my phone. But I don't particularly like bracelets in general, so I don't often wear them. I should consider a tattoo. But no, I don't. I don't. I just mention it. I don't really wear anything to indicate it.
FRAN: Yeah, I think that is interesting because I have to say I'm the same. When I was hiking, I kept things in my bag and on my body. But I didn't wear anything, but I recently started wearing a bracelet, partly because I got one sent to me to try out and it is a good one. It does feel good. Um, but there's definitely something about-- for me anyway, I always feel like it is-- not necessarily a label that you're carrying around? But I suppose for me, I always wondered how much people would look for it.
AMANDA: Yeah, I just always think with my seizures, depending on the length of time or when someone finds me, a bracelet that says ‘epilepsy’ isn't really gonna be very helpful if I'm unconscious on the pathway and somebody comes across my body. If they don't see the seizure, it's-- I would hope they would call 911 if they came across me. Just to call for an ambulance. But I'd be more at risk for a concussion if I was unconscious on the pathway rather than having had a seizure, as a result.
FRAN: Yeah, that's a really good point, because quite often-- and you spoke about this a little bit-- you’re getting the injuries from the seizures more than the seizures are actually necessarily affecting you. So you can recover from the seizure itself fairly quickly sometimes. But if you fall during the seizure, that could be a little bit more hurting on your body.
AMANDA: The worst thing I think would be actually is if I -- If I fall. If I just have the little myoclonic seizures and I trip, I usually scrape up my knees from my kneecaps just to-- like the whole length of the leg. And it’s painful but it's not the end of the world. And if I’m bleeding, I can still run if I’m in training. And I can usually just get up and keep going. The problem is that over the next few weeks as it starts to, like, heal and then crack again because I keep running. And then it starts bleeding again and then it heals and then crack, it’s just-- it’s such a process. It’s so-- you know, inconvenient (laughs).
FRAN (to AMANDA): That’s making me remember some times when I was a teenager and I just clumsy I think (laughs). I definitely skidded-- skidded my knees on tarmac and that kind of thing a fair few times and, yeah, I remember that feeling. It's something you can work through, but it's, as you say, a process you’d rather not work through sometimes.
AMANDA: Oh yeah, but-- I mean, I’m as much at risk of tripping and falling, just over uneven sidewalks or roots or rocks or anything like that as anybody else, so no matter what that’s a risk that anyone who goes outside I think has to take.
FRAN: Yeah. Absolutely. So I'm just gonna bring you back a little bit. You said in your story something that many people with epilepsy, and probably quite a few other chronic conditions as well, feel sometimes, which is that idea of being lost in your body. Not quite feeling like you're-- you're in control of it anymore. I get the impression that the running obviously changed that for you. Was there a particular moment that that happened, do you think?
AMANDA: Well, there are still times that I still feel this way because I don't think that-- when you know you have a condition-- that you could ever feel completely comfortable and confident in knowing that you can commit or guarantee or not be afraid that the condition is going to express itself, I guess. I can push myself further beyond what I thought were my limits in a-- in a mental capacity, while I'm running, and I can push myself further beyond what my muscles did yesterday in a physical capacity. and with the epilepsy, I can push myself further beyond fear and obligation and knowing that my body is still my body. Epilepsy is part of it, but it is still my body, I still have that capacity to challenge that.
FRAN: You obviously class yourself is an athlete now--
[AMANDA laughs]
FRAN: --and that's something that you didn't feel before, as a kid.
AMANDA: No.
FRAN: Do you think that there is a difference between being active and being an athlete? Or do you think it's just the way that we perceive it?
AMANDA: Um, I still don't completely think I consider myself an athlete. That seems like such a great title. Maybe athletic, but just-- an athlete seems so much more intense. I do consider myself a runner when I think about how often I run and how often I'm looking forward to it when I'm not running. But I think being active is maybe any kind of movement of any sort. And so to be active is trying new things, whether it's a team sport or an independent climb or anything. And I think to be athletic is when you're kind of hooked on one thing in particular and you might try other things, but it always comes back to that obsession. But I feel like considering myself an athlete is a little too extreme.
[both laugh]
FRAN: Well I consider you an athlete.
AMANDA: Thank you!
FRAN: I do like that distinction, though, I like that distinction. If it's something that you're so passionate about, you keep coming back to, you're an athlete of that sport, for sure.
AMANDA: Yeah. And active can be just whatever suits your fancy that day. Yeah. Yeah.
FRAN: And while we're on the ‘A’ words, I have to ask everyone this. So what is your definition of ‘adventure’?
AMANDA: I would say, an adventure is anything where we push our own boundaries and whether that's a new brand of race or pursuing a personal best, going to a new country or region. Anything where we might be unfamiliar with it and really excited for it.
FRAN: I love that idea of excitement. That's something that I haven't actually heard from anyone before. But that's so true. Adventure has to have that excitement in doesn't it?
AMANDA: Yeah, there's lots of things we’re unfamiliar with, but to be unfamiliar and excited for it? I think that sounds like an adventure, no matter what it is.
FRAN: Oh, yeah, absolutely. So in terms of the running then, now that you've been running for seven years, some of those runs might not feel quite as adventurous anymore. How often do you run in a regular week and what feels like the most adventurous runs that you do?
AMANDA: I try to run four days a week. I mix it up with weight training and going to the gym. That's fairly new, because apparently that will make me a better runner. But I can guarantee I really-- Every time I'm at the gym, I'm thinking “I would really like to be outside running right now”. I do add in yoga, and I do intend to add in swimming, I hope. But I like to run at least four days a week and the best runs are where I can get out of a-- out of a city away from traffic. So something where I'm in the mountains or where I'm along an ocean. Beach running is amazing. While it's harder and my time is not going to be as good when I'm running-- if I'm on the beach. That to me is amazing. And one of my favorite things.
FRAN: Yeah, and you mentioned a couple of other styles of running. You've done pretty much all of it from the sound of it. One of them that you mentioned was-- was backwoods running. So, I think I've got an idea of that, but we don't really have ‘backwoods’ quite so much in the UK. You can you just explain--
[Both laugh]
We just have ‘woods’ that-- they're not in the back of anything. Can you just explain to us what backwoods running entails?
AMANDA: That would be where there isn't a trail and you're just kind of finding your way over rocks and fallen trees and through bushes and whatever looks like you can fit through it. And you might hear the sound of a waterfall or river or creek and you want to go towards that or away from that. But there's nothing to mark the way, and it's fun. But there might not be anyone along for a while, if at all. So it’s not very safe alone.
FRAN: And do you have to use a particular form of navigation? Or is that just knowing the area?
AMANDA: Again, me as a bad example. I kind of just go out and hope for the best, and hope that eventually I'll be able to find my way back. I try-- I try to pick a route in the general area of a river or some kind of geographic structure, whether it's like a cliffside or something, where the ocean, it's on my left side. I could turn around and go back and it'll be on my right side and I'm going in the right direction. Yeah, I should learn to navigate. That's a great idea.
[FRAN laughs]
FRAN: I think that, in a way, that is a form of navigation, though. It’s one thing if you're trying to navigate towards something, but if you're just trying to not get lost, then--
[AMANDA laughs]
It works. What’s your-- what’s your-- aside from the beach running, which I have never tried, actually. I've not been into running since I was last-- no, that’s the wrong way around! I've not been to the beach since I started running properly, so I've never really tried beach running but--
AMANDA: It’s kind of a love/hate relationship because it’s fun, and if you go early in the morning, it’s great because if the tide’s gone out, the sand is a lot more packed so it’s harder, so it’s easier to run on. But it’s really beautiful, and it’s kind of a toss-up between being, like, if I go first thing in the morning, versus in the afternoon. It’s beautiful either way, but definitely a lot harder to run on in the afternoon, like, once the sand’s all dried out and you just sink right in if you’re wearing sneakers. And if you are wearing sneakers, taking your socks off later when you get home? It’s just – sand, rock, everywhere!
[Fran laughs]
It’s love/hate. Definitely love/hate.
FRAN: Enjoy it whilst you’re out there and not so much when you get back.
AMANDA: Yeah, exactly.
FRAN: It’s almost the opposite to most people's relationship with running, I think, you get that after-run high.
AMANDA: Oh, yeah!
[Both laugh]
FRAN: Tell us a little bit about the races. So you started off running just solo and just doing it on your lunch breaks, which is something that I can very much relate to, it’s how I started as well. You started doing races. Why did you do that? And do you prefer the races to running solo now?
AMANDA: I think I started doing the race just because I wanted to see if I would be able to do those certain distances. And in the case that I wasn't able to, in the case that something happened with my epilepsy, in the case that something happened with my simple clumsiness or an injury, just because of trying to run a distance that I'm not ready for, I started registering for races. And I picked, originally, local races so that they were, you know, $15 and if I couldn't make it because I had a seizure or something happened, it wasn't the end of the world versus some of the races I've done now, which are upwards of $100 each. And I found that there's a very big difference between, obviously, training and racing. Running solo, I have all the time and space in the world. I can change my route, my pace, everything. But that means I also have to be prepared, whether that means carrying water, electrolytes or bear spray. If I'm in one of the Parks. Races, on the other hand, everything is planned for the race. There are people along the route, including medical professionals. I don't have to worry about carrying any supplies, and I don't even have to think about where I'm actually going, there, people at every turn directing us and having a map set out for us. It's just me and the route and a couple of thousand other people. So I-- if I had to pick one, I do like running solo better. But at the same time, I like the ease and the safety that comes with racing.
FRAN: Do you have people? Do you have family and friends who show their worry about you or who wonder why you do it?
AMANDA: Oh, absolutely. Everybody thinks I'm crazy. I get a combination of joking memes about me being a runner, and my injuries, and the people who are actually really, really worried. But for the most part, they know that they can't stop me from doing it. I usually try to provide a rough timeline of how long I'll be gone and where I plan to go for their consideration, which is really a safe idea for solo runners generally, anyways, so just providing them the information. But yes, my family and friends definitely worry about me and a combination of think I'm crazy and, you know, think the decision to go by myself on my own is maybe not the best. But it's-- I'm still gonna do it. And they know that, too.
FRAN: Yeah, and I suppose-- yeah, I suppose that's all there really is to say. I agree with you. I understand it. So it is difficult for me. I have to say, this is one of those ones where I really try and explain it to people that don't get it. Luckily, I've had friends and family around me who, even if they don't do that kind of thing themselves, they do get it. They understand me, at least, even if they don't understand what I do. But is there anything that you would say or anything that you do say to people to ease their mind or to try and explain, precisely?
AMANDA: I would usually say, if people are afraid of me having seizures while running, I acknowledge that and I respect that. But in my perspective, if the seizure’s gonna happen, it will happen whether I am in the shower or on a running trail. And I would absolutely prefer the trail rather than stay safe all the time. I would rather challenge what I can do and go further. And I mean, there are people who think running long distances is crazy just on its own, without a medical condition. Yeah. But I just let people know that, especially when it comes to the races, that's probably the easiest part for them, because they know that there's gonna be other people there. There's going to be medical professionals on the site. That helps a lot, too. And then just giving a record of where I'm going to go and for how long, approximately. That kind of helps. But the seizure’s gonna happen. And whether it happens if I'm in the shower on a trail, I-- I'd rather it be the trail.
FRAN: Yeah. And do you find with the organized races-- well I suppose first off, do you-- do you tell the organizer's that you have epilepsy? Do you need to declare that, or choose to declare that?
AMANDA: Sometimes they have it on the registration when you-- when you register for the races. Sometimes on the back of the racing bib, it can fill it out and provide that information. Sometimes if there's nothing, and at the last one that I did-- I did a half marathon last weekend in May, I didn't have anybody there with me, there was nobody in Victoria at that moment who was a possible emergency contact. And they didn't have any space for that, so I went and just chatted with the paramedics and told them “just so you know, I'm gonna be in the race. I'm sure you won't remember what I look like, but I have epilepsy, and if you could not take me to a hospital, I’d appreciate it. But just so you know, all my medical information is--”. Put any paperwork you have-- actually, put anything you don't want all sweaty, even if you have it in a vest, put it in a Ziploc bag looking a plastic wrap for sure. Because, like, I had handwritten ones and I put them in a little sleeve, like a little plastic sleeve, thinking that would be enough. And, no. It's-- the condensation when you get into those really long distances, um, it’s disgusting. And I put my phone into-- when I have to wear a vest, if it's a long enough race that I need to, a training run or whatever, I put my phone usually in two different Ziploc bags, just because it's gross. Because, I mean, it's stuck in a backpack and it's sweaty, and, yeah, it's gross. So write it down on the back of your bib, I would say write all of your medications, what your condition is, who your emergency-- what I've got on my little card that goes in my running belt all the time, is medications, what time I take them at. Because if you end up in the hospital, they're not gonna necessarily know what time your AM medication is versus your PM medication is. So I write that down, and who my emergency contacts are. And I usually have a few, even if some of them are out of-- not where I'm living or not where the race is or the training is. It just-- it's a contact. So worst case scenario, if, say, my dad doesn't pick up the phone, they can call my best friend in Calgary and she can suggest who else to call. And they all know that, so there's, like, five people on that list.
FRAN: Mm. You mentioned that you carried on-- you carried on hiking and camping, and it's obviously a very big part of Canadian life.
AMANDA: Absolutely.
FRAN: But for a lot of people, particularly in countries where it's not done as much, that still seems like a very impressive thing to do when you have epilepsy and when you have active seizures. So was there anything that you did to accommodate that whilst you were hiking and camping?
AMANDA: Not really. I mean, to get to a camping site, I generally would be with other people. So there would-- there would be individuals who were there, who-- in those cases, usually when you're not near a city, I would want-- I would let people know. Because, of course, in those cases, if something serious was to happen, I would need either them to do something. I'm not sure what. Probably just take me to a hospital, but they should -- they should know. I've camped in campgrounds where there were tons of other people, like strangers, lots of different sites, lots of resources available and security measures. Even little ice cream shacks, that kind of thing, too. So there's been ones that are almost like a hotel camping. But I've camped where it's been on the edge of a mountain, not like a crevasse, but where the tent was set up overlooking a mountain range and forests way below. We had deer walking by through our site. And on that one, I remember that so well because there was nobody else anywhere near us. And it was amazing just to wake up in silence and see the sun start to hit the mountain tops. And I was with someone, and I had let him know about my condition, and if there was anything that he needed to do. Luckily, in that case, nothing happened. But it was stunning. Just gorgeous. Sometimes there's ones that are-- times that are just more impressionable than others.
FRAN: That sounds gorgeous, you’re making me very jealous.
AMANDA: You should come to Canada.
FRAN: I will.
[Both laugh]
FRAN: I will. So, you obviously weren’t telling people all the time that you had epilepsy, but very occasionally if you-- you're still being safe in telling people when you felt you needed too, essentially.
AMANDA: Basically there's times where you need to and times where-- I hate to say you don't need to, but it's-- if you're in a public space where there's going to be medical available, whether it's somebody else calling for paramedics, for medical, or somebody who's gonna be able to take care of you versus where you're in the middle of a forest somewhere and the only thing around you, besides the other person you're with is deer and moose and raccoons and skunks and that's what's there. And they're not really greatly known for medical intervention.
FRAN: No. I think we need to give them some seizure First Aid advice, the raccoons. Get the raccoons up to scratch.
[Both laugh]
I was gonna say something so serious! I’m sorry.
AMANDA (still laughing): That was brilliant. Get the raccoons up to scratch? Those things, they're so mean! It’s brilliant.
FRAN (still laughing): But on a serious note-- (stops laughing) on a serious note, it is important when we're doing-- when we’re on adventures, when we're doing adventure sports, something that becomes so integral is that trust that you have with other people, isn't it?
AMANDA: Oh, absolutely.
FRAN: It's really telling and it's really interesting, when you are doing those adventures was the time that you felt comfortable to talk about your epilepsy. Out of necessity. But I'm assuming that nobody refused to camp with you or refused to hike with you?
AMANDA: Not that I know of no. Nobody said, “Oh, well, now you can't come along”. And I've had one circumstance where I was turned down for an event hiking, because of my epilepsy. But I-- other than that it's never been that someone said, “Well, no, you can't” like, in a personal context. When I was in school, that happened back then, too, that I couldn't do certain sports or go camping with the classes and stuff for the physical education classes. But not since being an adult and not that I know of at least.
FRAN: Yeah. It is good to hear, though, it's a good-- it's good to remember that we have responsibility for ourselves, but we do have responsibility to the others that are doing stuff with us as well. And that involves letting them know about anything that they're responsible for with us as well. You're looking after each other.
AMANDA: Oh, absolutely. I mean, if somebody had an injury while we're camping, I wouldn't just be like, “Oh, well, you didn't tell me you were gonna, like, cut your arm open. I, um I'm not gonna help you out with that.” So of course, it's just about giving everybody that preparation the heads up, kind of, that this could be an issue. And we all know all of the injuries that could happen camping, unfortunately, usually involving chopping firewood. And we’ve all see them at some point, but it's just another thing. We all have a first aid kit.
FRAN: Yeah, I think the best thing that I had from an organized hike, the guy that was organising the hike, I told him about my epilepsy and he said to me, “Yeah, I wouldn't be worried about that myself. The thing I'm most worried about is somebody getting stung by a bee”.
AMANDA: Oh, exactly. Like that's-- I've hiked with people who have had epi-pens in their running belts. And before we started the run, they would show me, you know, “this is how-- you what you do if I go into shock”. Yeah, and that's just how it is. It's--
FRAN: Yeah.
AMANDA: Our conditions are the same thing.
FRAN: That's it. I hope we can get to the stage where, you know, epilepsy is seen in exactly the same way as anaphylaxis, it's something that just, you know happens. And you know what to do. I hope.
AMANDA: I agree.
FRAN: If there is anyone who is listening to this, who is struggling with their epilepsy at the moment, or perhaps they've been recently diagnosed, what would you say to them?
AMANDA: I would say that epilepsy is an inconvenience. We weren't given the choice about it, and you can either accept it or fight it or hide it. We have the ability to move forward with the condition and still accomplish incredible things. Your condition does not make you any less worthy. You have every right to still have your dreams and your goals. And when you're ready, on your terms, the courage to start.
FRAN: If you could say something to either race organizers or employers in fact, just-- just help them understand the condition a bit, what would you say?
AMANDA: Google does not have all the answers. So if somebody tells you that they have epilepsy or seizures, don't go online to Google and try to find out what the triggers are and the seizures are, and the causes are and everything about it that way. Ask the person individually because that person is the one who lives with it. They're gonna know what they have for triggers or for auras and what they need as support. They're the ones who are going to be able to tell you what they need for support. Don't look it up online and don't count on anyone else you've ever known with epilepsy because it is different for each and every person. And while sometimes it can act up, which is similar to other conditions where it will flare up and you have a cluster of seizures or, you know, a bad week or month, that doesn't mean that it's going to be that way all the time. Again, always talk to the person, the actual-- the employee or the runner themselves. They're going to know themselves the best.
[Guitar music is background - ‘Where the Wild Things Grow’ by Kev Rowe]
FRAN: Beautiful. Thank you. I'm gonna be using that.
AMANDA: Uh, absolutely. That's something I could scream from a rooftop.
[Music amplifies]
SINGER:
Here I go, on my way to where the wild things grow
And I know there’ll be good times, bad times on the road
Where the wild things grow
[Music fades out]
FRAN: Chatting to Amanda was just so much fun and it makes me really sad that there is an ocean between us, because I just want to go for a run with her, preferably in the backwoods. Hopefully without any bears. I am sure we’ll be hearing more from her in the future in the podcast, but if you would like to keep up with her adventures, don’t forget to head to her blog, Tremors of My World you can see what she's up to on there.
If you liked today's episode, please do share it around, wherever you social media, you can find the podcast at SYadventurers on all platforms and if you do want to hear some of the outtakes to this episode, including my opinion on half pints, I have a cunning plan that I'm hoping to reveal later in the year for you. So stay tuned for that one.
The music in this episode was again by Kev Rowe from Soundcloud, and I just wanted to finish this episode with one of those tangents that I had with Amanda. One of the things about epilepsy is that it affects everyone differently. What may be a trigger for one person isn't necessarily going to trigger seizures in someone else, and whilst it is a bit off the topic of adventure, I think this small part of the conversation is actually quite important for you to hear:
FRAN (to AMANDA): Oh, I feel like we have so much to talk about and without just going on and on, I don't think we're gonna be able to fit it all in. We'll just have to speak to each other again, is the answer, I think.
AMANDA: I feel like I really would love to find a way to incorporate that I drink. Okay, so that sounds really stupid, but it's-- It's because everybody has different triggers and different experiences with things like alcohol. It is not one of my triggers. And if it was, I'd spend a lot more time in the hospital and--
[FRAN laughs]
I just want to say, everybody is so different with our condition. And so to have that, like, if you Google “things not to do if you're epileptic”, it's like drinking is one of them. And it's like, that isn't necessarily a thing. It's those preconceived notions that we have, like so many people have about what it means. And so that's the same thing with, yes, sometimes I like going to the bar and have a few drinks, And I'm-- I have to figure out a way that I can say that I'm not trying to advocate for alcohol. But, like, just the idea that you can't go out, you can't do these. This is just one other thing that could be added to the things you can't do in life.
FRAN (to AMANDA): So if you ever do see me in the pub, please do buy me a drink, cause I would very like one.
AMANDA: Exactly like, oh yeah, for sure. So, Okay, so now that we've gotten off topic again...
FRAN (in studio): Thank you very much for listening. If you do see me in a pub, mine is gonna be half pint of lager. And, until next time, Safe Adventures, everyone.
END