Woman with epilepsy to climb Mount Kilimanjaro to raise awareness of disease

Christy Howard, a Chattanooga woman who has suffered with epilepsy for over 34 years, has plans to trek up Africa's tallest mountain from July 13 to July 26.Epilepsy, according to the Epilepsy Foundation, is "a brain disorder that causes recurring, unprovoked seizures."Her trip to Mount Kilimanjaro will take place over eight days, spaced out to regulate and monitor her health, as seizures can increase with higher altitudes.Howard, her husband, and their two daughters will be joining her, and have all been training since September of 2023.Howard said that fear is present, as having a seizure up on the mountain is scary."But not trying? That’s worse,” she said. “Everyone has something. I want to encourage people not to hide – that they are not alone in whatever it is that they face."Throughout the month of May, Howard had two seizures per week, which she said is good, but June was even more challenging."If I don’t summit, I personally will be very, very frustrated," she said, "but I will know that I didn’t let epilepsy stop me from trying, from getting to the starting line."Her team is also producing a documentary that will chronicle the group's journey called "Scraped Knees: Christy's Climb." You can find the trailer for the film online.Howard are her family use her social media pages to document her adventures and grow awareness for Epilepsy. Source: local3news.com, Addison Howard