EPILEPSY ALLIANCE FLORIDA’S ANNUAL JACKSONVILLE WALK THE TALK FOR EPILEPSY MARKS 50 YEARS OF SERVICE

Local resident Shelbi Moncrief will be honored at the event for her courage and strength of character while living with epilepsy

Jacksonville, Fla., Thursday, April 21, 2022 – Epilepsy Alliance Florida will host its annual Jacksonville Walk the Talk for Epilepsy on Saturday, April 30, 2022 – the largest community event in the area that raises awareness and funds for individuals living with epilepsy. The walk will be held on the lawn in front of Village Bread Café (1301 Riverplace Blvd.) in Jacksonville, with registration opening at 8 a.m. and the walk following at 9:15 a.m. This year’s event will mark the organization’s 50-year anniversary.

The Jacksonville Walk the Talk for Epilepsy, sponsored by Nicklaus Children’s Hospital’s Brain Institute, will feature family-friendly entertainment, including a live DJ, face painting, special appearances by Star Wars characters, and more.

Local resident Shelbi Moncrief will be honored at the event with Epilepsy Florida’s Clayton Feig Youth Award, an award commemorating youth who battle seizures and that highlights the important work of those dedicated to removing the stigma associated with epilepsy. The award was established in memory of Clayton Feig, a young man who demonstrated courage and strength of character while dealing with epilepsy. Complications from epilepsy claimed Clayton’s life in 1993 when he was just 18-years-old.

24-year-old Shelbi was born to someone who was drug-addicted, and was adopted at 18-months-old by a loving family in Jacksonville. Despite a normal early childhood, Shelbi experienced her first seizure at home in the middle of the night at seven-years-old. She was transported by ambulance to Wolfson Children’s Hospital and admitted, with a great deal of testing to follow. Shelbi was eventually diagnosed with epilepsy and put under the care of a neurological physician. By the time she reached middle school, Shelbi was referred to a specialist at Miami Children’s Hospital (now Nicklaus Children’s Hospital) for further assessment and treatment. After several brain surgeries, she continued to have up to three seizures per week. Throughout high school, Shelbi continued to struggle with epileptic seizures, but was determined to graduate with her high school class and walk the stage to receive her diploma – a goal she proudly achieved. To this day, Shelbi still suffers with seizures but remains extremely strong-willed. She is always open to share hope for others who have walked her path.

“Shelbi’s work in raising local epilepsy awareness is remarkable,” said Karen Basha Egozi, President and CEO of Epilepsy Alliance Florida. “We’re grateful to her for serving as an advocate and raising awareness, and are proud to recognize her as she is a true representation of all this award entails.”

Epilepsy Alliance Florida, formerly Epilepsy Florida, unveiled its organizational name change in April 2022. Epilepsy Alliance Florida will continue with the organization’s existing mission of providing resources for people with epilepsy, their families, their caregivers, and the community, and will continue to serve the more than half a million individuals and families in Florida impacted by epilepsy and the spectrum of challenges created by seizures.

Epilepsy, a common neurological condition that one in 26 people will be diagnosed with at some point in their lives, is a diagnosis given when a person experiences two or more seizures that cannot be attributed to another cause. It is a disorder more people live with than autism, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, and cerebral palsy – combined.

For more information and to register for the Jacksonville Walk the Talk for Epilepsy, visit epilepsyalliancefl.com/walk-the-talk-2022.

Epilepsy Alliance Florida (formerly Epilepsy Florida), established in 1971 as a not-for-profit 501 (c)(3), is dedicated to supporting those impacted by epilepsy by confronting the spectrum of challenges created by seizures. It is a founding member of the Epilepsy Alliance America. Epilepsy Alliance Florida provides numerous services to individuals and families, including advocacy and counseling, education and prevention, direct medical and neuropsychological services, as well as other programs regardless of financial situation or socioeconomic status. For more information, visit epilepsyalliancefl.com.