About 150 people participate in epilepsy walk/run Saturday

Published 10:46 am Tuesday, June 18, 2013

Fifteen-year-old Reilly Mason was diagnosed with epilepsy in February, but she spoke with confidence about the experience to a crowd of about 150 walkers and joggers at the third annual Northwest Epilepsy Walk and Run Saturday at McKenzie Park.

The event drew participants from around the region who participated in the walk and run and enjoyed refreshments and prizes. The event coincides with National Epilepsy Awareness Month to raise awareness about the disease, which impacts about 2.7 million people in the United States.

Mason spoke about her experience dealing with the onset of the neurological disease following the walk. She told the crowd she experienced her first seizure while hanging out with her best friend several months ago.

I was really scared, Mason said. It was kind of like I was in a haze.

Mason, who attends Hermiston High School, wants to be a psychologist one day and doesnt let the illness get the best of her.

My mom always tells me not to use my weaknesses as a crutch and not to let it hold me back in daily life, Mason said.

Her parents, Sunshine and Ritchie Mason, said they are very proud of how far she has come.

Shes really taken up the challenge, Sunshine Mason said. Its going to be a journey, but it couldnt have happened to a better person.

She said her daughter is strong and equipped to handle the challenging disease.

Sunshine Mason said when Reilly was diagnosed with the disease, it was just very spur of the moment.

She said her son, Corey, 14, had experienced seizures as a baby but none related epilepsy. Ritchie Mason said the disease is hard to diagnose because it is unpredictable.

Sunshine Mason said doctors told her and her husband symptoms of the disease are similar to someone who has just finished running a marathon, such as fatigue and over-stimulation of the brain.

This was a big step for her this walk, Sunshine Mason said.

More than 20 of the familys relatives and friends came out to support Reilly and the cause of epilepsy awareness. Tanner Wolfson, 25, who works with Ritchie Mason, brought his daughter, Izzabbella, whom Reilly babysits.

It was nice to be able to support her, Wolfson said.

Organizers Beckie Bither and Debbie Herrera said the event raised up to $1,500 more than last year.

We were at $8,500 last year, Herrera said. Were probably going to break $10,000. This all stays in our community.

Fifty percent of the proceeds will benefit The Arc of Umatilla County.

Bither and Herrera first started thinking about organizing the event about four years ago when they attended a similar walk/run in the Tri-Cities-area.

Both are parents of children with epilepsy, and spreading awareness about the disease keeps them coming back each year.

The more we talk about it, people are going to be less intimidated, Bither said.