Going the extra mile.

Nov 28, 2017 4:28 PM

toasterfork

Views

274811

Likes

8604

Dislikes

154

This is Katie Cooke — a 20-year-old competitive runner from Dublin, Ireland.

Despite having an aggressive form of epilepsy, in which she experiences up to 14 seizures a day, she only stays down for so long.

More often than not, you'll find Katie back up and running right after having seizure.

Katie typically trains alone during the week, though, she's a got a great running partner by her side when she runs official races: her neurologist, Dr. Colin Doherty.

Dr. Doherty plays two roles during Katie's races: the first, being her doctor; the second, being her running buddy. So, if Katie happens to have a seizure while she's running, he makes sure no one carts her off the course, ensures she and the people around her are OK, and he helps her get right back on track in a healthy state of mind.

"I don't let anything, really, get in the way of living life at all. I just don't think it's the way to go." - KC

Source: http://greatbig.is/2zvTrf3

You inspire me

8 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Hey, freaking great job, keep it up.

8 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Hey, my last name is doherty. Cept I'm a gymnastic and parkour coach, coach Doherty.

8 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 1

Kudos on the doctor too

8 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Right on

8 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Her disease does not define her life. Amazing. *Me start gobbling up fried chicken*

8 years ago | Likes 6 Dislikes 1

you're a chicken gobbler!

8 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Yeah well, I bought Cup-A-Soups today, BEFORE the old pack had run out, so, just sayin'.......

8 years ago | Likes 20 Dislikes 3

omg i read this as this post brought to by the letter "A-cup" i'm sick...

8 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Stop, drop and drool.

8 years ago | Likes 9 Dislikes 4

Okay, I’m epileptic and that right there is funny. Stop with the downvotes

8 years ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 0

I wonder what it's like to have passion and a drive accomplish your goals. I think it would be fun.

8 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

That is one determined woman. Fortunate also she has a doctor who will be her running buddy.

8 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Looks like Nike found a new poster girl. Wow, impressive.

8 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Fair shout. The couple of seizures I've been involved with have always ended up with the person being utterly exhausted afterwards

8 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

She's going the distance!

8 years ago | Likes 14 Dislikes 0

She's going for speed.

8 years ago | Likes 13 Dislikes 0

He's all alone... all alone

8 years ago | Likes 7 Dislikes 1

Go girl!

8 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Dont think you can get brain disease from running

8 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 1

Really hope that's sarcasm

8 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

This looks like something from The Onion

8 years ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 2

And I got exhausted from lunch.

8 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Am I the only one wondering what it's like for your SO to have a seizure mid coitus?

8 years ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 1

Since I’m usually the one playing floppy fish, I wouldn’t know the during. After kinda sucks.

8 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

This was a sub-plot of the original M*A*S*H book https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=M4g5AwAAQBAJ&q=epileptic

8 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

No you are not.

8 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

I know its not funny but they really either waited for A, her to go into a seizure to take a photo, or B had her pose as if she was. Stupid

8 years ago | Likes 9 Dislikes 2

Up to 14 seizures a day means about one an hour. Not really waiting around so much

8 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

What happened to the other ten hours. And that's if there IS 14. 14s the max. I'm just saying is a description not enough?

8 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

There's a video link at the bottom of the post. Looks like they followed her around a few hours and she experienced seizures while filming.

8 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

I believe marijuana would help this problem

8 years ago | Likes 7 Dislikes 8

CBD but also being high as shit would probably make running funner as well

8 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

When patients use cannabis oil, they slowly build up a tolerance to THC by increasing the dose. So the high never affects them much.

8 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

I'm super high right now so I disagree

8 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Actually, THC can cause seizures. I don’t get high, I get needed medicine.

8 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

She has all my admiration .

8 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Dr. Colin Doherty. Going the extra mile for one of his patients.

8 years ago | Likes 12 Dislikes 0

It would be great if he would refer his patient to someone who does deep brain stimulator implants.

8 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

I am amazed at her willpower and positive attitude. But I also admire the tattoo artist that made her tats. Unplanned seizure at any moment!

8 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

I have a seizure disorder that split my head open for 6 staples and broke my back in a car wreck. For those that would downvote for a joke

8 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

“Unplanned seizure”. Can I plan mine? I didn’t know that was an option!

8 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Ha, hahaha, hahahahahahahaha. HAHAHAHA. You can somewhat predictably control them with meds ya dip.

8 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

I got epilepsy too. It ain't easy bein seizy.

8 years ago | Likes 37 Dislikes 1

I’m so using this next time I do a public fall down and spasm trick

8 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 1

You need to make that into a T-shirt!

8 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

Her neurologist bills must be crazy expensive

8 years ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 1

I doubt it. Probably the opposite.

8 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

Bills? For healthcare? What kind of bizarre third world country do you live in!?

8 years ago | Likes 9 Dislikes 1

Fortunately Ireland have free healthcare

8 years ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 0

Missed the fact that she's not in the good ol' US of A. My mistake.

8 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

Man this dude I knew had seizures a lot then one day he made an acetylene bomb and it blew up in his hand and now he doesn't have them

8 years ago | Likes 6 Dislikes 0

Seizures he direct have seizures anymore. He still has hands. I blew up from one before just a loud bang and threw me 5ft

8 years ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 0

God damn it. Doesn't * I'm having a terrible time

8 years ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 0

Hang in there, buddy!

8 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

This is, frankly, a car-crash series of posts.

8 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

But I still love you.

8 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Thanks babe

8 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

And here my fat ass is sitting on this couch using my thicc thumb to scroll thru shit

8 years ago | Likes 238 Dislikes 7

Someone has to throw out upvotes

8 years ago | Likes 33 Dislikes 1

Same hear lol

8 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 3

Here*

8 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Lol I did not notice the typo.. thanks

8 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Nice

8 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

This may come as a surprise, but physical activity has no correlation to actual worth. Don't sell yourself short dude.

8 years ago | Likes 11 Dislikes 0

Physical activity probably helps your ego, I would wager. Getting those buns firm is always nice.

8 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

well.. you can always change if you really want to. it probably won't be easy, but you'll likely feel better about yourself

8 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Mine too... but six weeks ago I started running, so my ass is now significantly less phat!

8 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Hey man. We serve an important roll too. We are the upvoters. We are the lazy and the many.

8 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Role** I knew that didn't look right

8 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

changing the world one upv at a time! OK maybe not

8 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

im always amaze by those kind of response, at every, litteraly, every post if there is some sort of physical exercise. Is it some form of a

8 years ago | Likes 6 Dislikes 1

joke or it's like sarcasm or irony? Pardon myself because Im very bad at detecting sarcasm

8 years ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 2

Sheldon Cooper I presume

8 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Found the ai.

8 years ago | Likes 12 Dislikes 1

Damn, this girls a champion. I DON'T have seizures and she runs 100% more than I do.

8 years ago | Likes 2435 Dislikes 11

I think you mean infinitely as anything Times zero is still zero haha

8 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 1

damn straight

8 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

By that math you run half as much as she does, that's probably quite a lot still

8 years ago | Likes 21 Dislikes 1

The only running I do is run late...

8 years ago | Likes 10 Dislikes 0

The doctor is pretty bad ass too.

8 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

You're saying you run half as much as she does?

8 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 1

v

8 years ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 0

I run 100% less than she does *wink*

8 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

soooo we should give you the handicapped parking sticker and take hers away?

8 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

I bet she calculates percentages 100% better than you do too.

8 years ago | Likes 6 Dislikes 0

I have them and I'm afraid of running anywhere by myself. I don't want to wake up in the er again.

8 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Mathematically speaking, she actually runs an undefined amount more than you. Realistically speaking, she runs a VERY defined amount more.

8 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

You don't know how much OP runs!

8 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

I wish I can run, but all of my friends had either their lungs collapse or get kidney stones. I have back, abdomen, and appendix issues*.

8 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

* My abdomen, back, and appendix only hurt if I eat over 900 calories a day at a fast food restaurant, plus blown head gaskets; and lifting.

8 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

I'm guessing public transport

8 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

I knew this comment would be here

8 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

100% more of 0 is still zero?

8 years ago | Likes 384 Dislikes 5

0 + (more meaning in addition) 1 × 100 (to receive a percentage)

8 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 5

That's not how statistics work. 100% more is a raise of 100% regarded to the original measurement. So if he isn't running his 100% are 0. /2

8 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

A raise by 100% would be equal to a raise by 0 2/2

8 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

He does 1 run

8 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Hahahaha

8 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Nah. I’ve ran before.... once

8 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

ahahaha she's probably better at math too! (don't slap me drudawg84)

8 years ago | Likes 146 Dislikes 1

All good. I know the math wasn't right but the point was driven home regardless. Which, with 140 chars isn't always easy. Expected comments.

8 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Probably like 100% better

8 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Giving that he doesn't exercise much, he might not be a threat.

8 years ago | Likes 28 Dislikes 2

8 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Geez

8 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Maybe he runs half as much as she does

8 years ago | Likes 13 Dislikes 0

Then she would run 200% of him

8 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 1

Isn’t... isn’t that 100% more than?

8 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

You are correct.

8 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

She should try RSO/cannabis oil. Has shown to have strong mitigating effects on seizures.

8 years ago | Likes 10 Dislikes 1

I just said the same thing!

8 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Specifically Cannabidiol (CBD) a nearly non-psychoactive Cannabinoid. Shoud be available EU-wide without restrictions.

8 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Full spectrum concentrate is preferable though, for entourage/synergistic effects

8 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

You're maybe right but it looks like CBD and CBDV are the ones you want for epilepsy through their ability to activate calcium channels 1/2

8 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Hmm...know anywhere to read that research that's not behind a pay wall?

8 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

scihub :) its there, search with full doi. have fun reading

8 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Oh goodness, you are just a fucking treat! Thanks for the journal reference :D

8 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

in TRPV1. check DOI: 10.1021/cn5000524 2/2

8 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

I have epilepsy, all controlled by medication. When I’ve had a seizure all I wanted to do is sleep so fair play to her!!!!!

8 years ago | Likes 402 Dislikes 0

I have petit mal epilepsy. Only had a couple of grand mal seizures. all controlled with meds so no need for cannabis for me

8 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

have you tried any cannabis products? like non-psychoactive CBD oil?

8 years ago | Likes 10 Dislikes 2

Yeah it's exhausting. When I come out of my seizure I appear awake and lucid but I can't feel pain or resistance. I can really hurt myself.

8 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

Exactly same here! Muscles are fucked, tongue in pieces - running is last thing on my mind!

8 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Feel your pain 13 years now,running kepra,depakin and frisium 3 times a day and still going atleast weekly,for a 3 min attack shit is tiring

8 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

you try that CBT oil?

8 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Was just thinking the same thing - the epileptics I know are always exhausted after seizures, it wipes the rest of the day.

8 years ago | Likes 62 Dislikes 0

It's exhausting. I sleep all day after having an attack, and I'm super sore the next day. Not to mention the tongue biting.

8 years ago | Likes 25 Dislikes 0

Or the post-ictal hallucinations. This shit sucks.

8 years ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 0

Daughter has epilepsy and she naps sooooo much when she’s having seizure activity. Even the subclinical kind. Can’t imagine running after

8 years ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 0

I have epilepsy and after my seizures, I am energetic (part of the reason it was difficult to diagnose). It's different for everybody.

8 years ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 0

Ah that’s cool.

8 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Legit question - doesn't it mess up your memory (temporarily)? Like when she came out of it, it'd be like "wtf is going on"

8 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Yup. It’s like being knocked out. You have no idea where you are for a bit.

8 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Yes, but usually only for the few minutes before and immediately after. I know exactly why I’m on the floor when I come to

8 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

Ever tried switching your insurance to GEICO?

8 years ago | Likes 11 Dislikes 0

Ever try ketosis?

8 years ago | Likes 16 Dislikes 1

As a runner who was recently diagnosed with epilepsy, I had no idea about this. Been off and on keto diet but fell off and had a seizure

8 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Props to you for recommending ketosis for what it’s for.

8 years ago | Likes 8 Dislikes 0

Yeah. The diets so difficult to follow that in the end, I'd rather just have the seizure and be done with it.

8 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

Have you ever tried random advice from strangers on the Internet?

8 years ago | Likes 43 Dislikes 0

How about emails from friends and relatives that heard about some herbal remedy that cured their neighbour's, cousin's, hairdresser's child?

8 years ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 0

Yes! Or “maybe you should meet with our epileptologist two states over” um how about we see someone who specializes in epilepsy AND TSC

8 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

thank you! First thing we always hear is “have you tried cannibis??” “Never thought of it!” *eye roll*

8 years ago | Likes 13 Dislikes 0

In all seriousness, may we know the answer? Hemp oil sublingual drops is usually the cbd administration recommended for seizures.

8 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 1

Haven’t had to try it as of yet. Have had success with prescribed meds for my girl

8 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

How does it feel to have a seizure? Are you conscious? Do you know what's happening? Are you suffering?

8 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

I'm never concious. I get a weird feeling, black out, then I wake up confused AF. Then I fall asleep for about 20hours.

8 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

I've heard weird banging sounds after blacking out just to come out of it and then realize it was my limbs knocking around on the floor :(

8 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

You know how people black out in movies? There’s a high pitched sound, everything shifts sideways, and then they are on the floor? 1/

8 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

That’s the way it is for me. I’m not aware during, I’m usually sore and tired after. I’ve had them all my life, so 2/

8 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

I’m not confused about finding myself on the floor in a puddle of my own making.

8 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

Personally, when I have mine I'm usually conscious for the first 30 seconds or so. Extreme vertigo with what feels like everything moving

8 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

(2) in all directions and rotations all at the same time. Audio is distorted kind of like extreme gain on an amplifier cutting in and out

8 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

(3) rapidly, as well as the sound of someone screaming... like a female death metal singer. Colors are wrong and visuals flicker

8 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

(4) in and out until I pass out fully. Sleep for 4 hours or so. Usually wake up really off-balance which stays until a full night's sleep

8 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0