Sail for Epilepsy: Sailing with a Purpose at the STAR Theatre
Listen to the fascinating story of one man’s offshore sailing experiences and how he pursues these adventures despite having a disability.
Phil Haydon is an experienced short-handed sailor who has successfully completed the Bermuda 1-2 three times and crossed the Atlantic Ocean. He has started the non-profit organization Sail For Epilepsy with a mission to inspire people with epilepsy to take One More Step towards achieving a fuller life, with the necessary safety measures in place. Phil’s One More Step is to sail the oceans of the world to:
· inspire people with epilepsy
· raise funds to support research for a cure
· promote awareness of epilepsy and educate the public
When Phil Haydon was 15, an accident caused a depressed compound fracture of his skull, which triggered post-traumatic epilepsy. For several years he suffered from tonic-clonic seizures but has been fortunate to have his epilepsy medically controlled for over 40 years. Phil currently runs an active laboratory researching a range of neurological disorders, including epilepsy, at Tufts University School of Medicine, in Boston. Now, he is giving back to the epilepsy community.
In addition to sharing stories about his past races and a few offshore sailing videos, his presentation will provide general information about epilepsy, causes and treatments, and how to help someone during and after a seizure. You’ll hear about ways people all over the world aren’t letting this disorder keep them from living a full life!
