|
Greenwich Mother and Daughter Danielle &
Gabi Blaine
to Co-Chair 9th Annual Epilepsy Walk & Purple Picnic
Annual Event Held at Stamford Cove Island
Park on May 16
On Saturday, May 16, 2026, families,
friends and individuals from across Fairfield County will
gather at Stamford Cove Island Park for the 9th
annual Epilepsy Walk & Purple Picnic, for the Epilepsy
Foundation of Connecticut. The Walk kicks off at 9:00
a.m., followed by a Purple Picnic (boxed lunches provided)
in the park — purple is the advocacy color for epilepsy. The
Walk is also dog-friendly, so attendees are encouraged to
bring their friendly, furry family members as well. There
will be activities for kids, inspiring speakers and a boxed
lunch provided. Advance registration is available at epilepsyct.com.
For Greenwich residents and mother and
daughter Danielle and Gabrielle “Gabi” Blaine, co-chairs
of the event, the morning is about more than just a walk.
It’s about finding a shared community that helped carry
their family through uncertainty, taking action and giving
hope and support to others walking a similar path. The
Blaines, and others who have been touched by epilepsy,
encourage anyone interested in supporting the effort to
raise awareness, foster community, and support the thousands
of individuals and families affected by epilepsy across the
state, to join them Saturday, May 16, at the Walk.
Danielle Blaine noted that the annual walk
serves an important purpose beyond fundraising. “A diagnosis
of epilepsy is often kept private for many reasons, which
can sometimes leave some feeling isolated,” Danielle shared.
”This walk brings together individuals and families from
Fairfield County, allowing them to meet others with a
similar diagnosis, connect, and share in a day of community,
understanding, and hope. That sense of community is
life-changing. No one should face epilepsy alone.”
Epilepsy is a neurological condition
characterized by recurrent seizures — sudden bursts of
abnormal electrical activity in the brain – which can
manifest as staring spells, uncontrolled movements, loss of
consciousness, or temporary confusion. Epilepsy impacts more
than 60,000 children and adults in Connecticut alone who
live with the disease. One in 26 nationwide will develop the
condition at some point in their lifetime. Epilepsy affects
more Americans than multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy,
muscular dystrophy, and Parkinson’s disease combined. It is
most prevalent among children under the age of two and
adults 65 and older. Despite advances in treatment, over 30%
of individuals continue to experience uncontrolled seizures
even while on medication.
Gabi Blaine understands these challenges
firsthand. She was diagnosed with Juvenile Myoclonic
Epilepsy as she entered high school. Her condition
progressed from absence seizures (staring spells) in her
early teens to include myoclonic seizures (sudden muscle
jerks) and tonic-clonic seizures (formerly known as grand
mal seizures, which often involve loss of consciousness and
full-body convulsions).
“If others are not educated about seizures or
trained in seizure safety, a tonic-clonic seizure can be
very frightening to witness,” Gabi Blaine noted. “I feel
fortunate that my seizures are generally well controlled on
medication, although it took many years and more than six
medications to find the right combination. I’m grateful that
I’ve been able to volunteer with the Epilepsy Foundation of
Connecticut to support those who face greater challenges.”
Gabi, now age 28, and her mother Danielle,
began volunteering with EFCT 15 years ago, when Gabi was
just 13 years old, advocating for individuals whose seizures
are not well controlled or who need financial assistance for
medications, memory programs, seizure-alert devices, or
seizure-response dogs. Gabi credits EFCT as an especially
vital resource for individuals and families newly navigating
a diagnosis. Despite the unpredictability of epilepsy, Gabi
has navigated doctor visits, lifestyle changes and a focus
on her health, all while attending college, where she
graduated from University of Connecticut with a degree in
psychology. Now Gabi devotes her time to supporting EFCT and
also working with another organization that serves children
and adults with developmental disabilities. While different
from her own medical journey, the work she is doing requires
deep empathy, patience and sensitivity – qualities that have
been shaped by her lived experience.
“Living with epilepsy teaches you to pay
attention to what others might be carrying silently,” Gabi
noted. “I’m especially passionate about supporting families
who have had a new diagnosis. It may feel scary and
overwhelming to get an epilepsy diagnosis, but there is
help. EFCT really supported myself and my family as we
navigated my diagnosis. Events like the Walk that help
support EFCT are so important.”
After many years volunteering and helping run
the EFCT Walks, Danielle Blaine also joined the EFCT Board
of Directors this past fall. “It’s been very inspiring
meeting numerous individuals and families affected by
epilepsy in the Greenwich and Fairfield County community
throughout the past 15 years” said Danielle. “Epilepsy looks
different for every person. We have close ties to those
whose epilepsy developed after strokes or brain injuries.
Some are well controlled on medication, while others require
years of support and ongoing advocacy at the state level. We
feel fortunate to be able to help those who have faced a
more difficult journey.”
To sign up for the Saturday, May 16, 2026,
Walk to End Epilepsy at Cove Island Park in Stamford visit epilepsyct.com and
click on the Stamford Walk under the events tab.
About Epilepsy
According to the World
Health Organization, epilepsy is the most common
serious brain disorder worldwide with no age, racial, social
class, national or geographic boundaries. The U.S.
Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC)
estimates that 3.4 million people in the United States are
affected by epilepsy. It is the underlying tendency of the
brain to produce seizures which are sudden abnormal bursts
of electrical energy that disrupt brain functions.
About the Epilepsy Foundation of
Connecticut
EFCT is an
affiliate of the Nationwide Epilepsy Foundation and is a
state-wide, nonprofit charitable agency dedicated to helping
to improve the quality of life for those affected by
epilepsy and their loved ones. To learn more, visit epilepsyct.com.
|