El Paso’s First Stroll For Epilepsy Raises Money For Research

A few years ago, El Pasoan Phil Jordan lost his 20 year old son to Epilepsy.

Now, to honor the memory of his son and raise money for research, Jordan has helped organize the first El Paso stroll for Epilepsy.

The stroll was held Saturday morning at Ascarate Park.

Among the organizers was Chantell Thompson, a University of Texas at El Paso student who suffers from epilepsy.

“I’m not allowed to drive, I’m not allowed to cook on a stove, I’m not allowed to climb stairs, but I go to UTEP so I climb high stairs all the time,” Thompson said.

Despite the restrictions placed on her life, Thompson said she’s not letting that stop her from studying to become a nurse, where she one day hopes to help others with Epilepsy.

“I feel like I want to be there for those (with Epilepsy), and let them know its not going to stop their life,” Thompson said.

According to the Epilepsy Foundation, more than three million Americans suffer from Epilepsy, and 200,000 new cases are diagnosed each year.