Neuro Note #2: Unstoppable

Yesterday in our Neurological Aspects of Occupation Centered Practice class, we discussed seizures and epilepsy. When I got home and was scrolling through social media, I came across an article titled “Chattanooga Runner Nathan Sexton Fights Through Five Seizures to Finish.”  I was extremely interested to read this article as I lived in Chattanooga for 6 years, love running and am amazed by anyone who completes the Boston Marathon, and had just learned about seizures in class.

Nathan Sexton is a 30 year old Chattanooga resident who has a stage 4 brain tumor. He raced in the Boston Marathon this past Monday, April 17. While running, Nathan had 5 seizures, but still finished the race. The article mentions that Nathan was allowed “special entry” into this year’s Boston marathon because he did not qualify for the 2018 Boston Marathon due to a seizure during the qualifying race. This is an amazing feat for anyone, and it just shows you that anything is possible.

With the specific type of brain tumor Nathan had, the article states that Nathan was given approximately 15-24 months to live. After being told this information, Nathan became a super fast runner in his area of residence. I became interested to hear more about Nathan’s story, as it seems like his occupations may have changed since receiving his diagnosis, similar to the story we watched when we were learning about the Theory of Occupational Adaptation. I was interested to learn more about Nathan’s story, and I found another article titled “Chattanooga Man Fighting Brain Cancer Returns to Race where his Running Career Began” along with a video about Nathan. It detailed his journey and discussed how his priorities and outlook on life have shifted since his diagnosis.  Even with the challenges and setbacks, he still perseveres and maintains a positive outlook on life. He mentioned in the video that before being diagnosed with a brain tumor, he was more focused on work. Now, his family and his relationships are his main priority.

Like we learned in class, seizures can be a symptom of brain tumors. Although the articles do not include anything about therapy, as I was reading I was imagining what the role of an OT would be if Nathan were receiving intervention for his diagnosis/symptoms. We learned that an OT would assess the client’s environment/routine, provide support/adjustments to a routine to reduce risks, and could recommend safety equipment.  An OT would focus on his priorities, which are running and his family/ relationships with people. With running such a huge race, it was important to have a medical team on site. It is inspirational to see how events people experience in their life do not define them or have to limit them. Occupations may shift or change, but your ability to live life to the fullest does not have to.

Cobb, D. (2017, March 3).  Chattanooga man fighting brain cancer returns to race where running career began.  Times Free Press. Retrieved from http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/local/story/2017/mar/03/back-more-local-mfighting-bracancer-returns-r/415703/

Cobb, D. (2017, April 17).  Chattanooga runner Nathan Sexton fights through five seizures to finish Boston Marathon. Times Free Press. Retrieved from http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/local/story/2017/apr/17/kenyans-kirui-kiplagat-win-121st-boston-marathon/423254/?utm_content=buffer92a9e&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=buffer