By TERRY BRLAS

Strongsville Post editor

The number seven was a good one for the Epilepsy Association of Northeast Ohio. The 7th Annual Winter Walk for Epilepsy had 350 individuals come in from the numbing temperatures to bask in the warmth of SouthPark Mall. Walkers could also bask in the knowledge they were part of an effort that raised approximately $62,000 for the neurological disorder between the Strongsville and Mentor (Great Lakes Mall) walks.

There were two goals for the Winter Walk according to Kathleen Sanniti, event chair. These are to raise awareness and for families to bond.

"There are a lot of fundraisers in the community, but this way families get to come out and have a good time," she said. "We get people that come to this who have family members with epilepsy or their child may have a friend at school who has epilepsy."

FOX8 TV Anchor Bill Martin was the master of ceremonies for the SouthPark leg of the Winter Walk. He has a strong connection with the organization. His daughter, Katie, has been living with epilepsy since the age of 11. She is due to graduate from Ohio University in March and is a highly skilled equestrian.

"We heard a loud noise one morning. I thought a car had hit the house," Martin said. "My daughter had experienced a full blown seizure and had fallen in the bathroom. We didn't know what was going on ... I made some phone calls and have been involved with the Epilepsy Association since then. They've been terrific.

"People are afraid of it. Seizures scare people. It doesn't need to be terrifying. People can have normal, healthy, active lives through medication. This is an event that I am very passionate about."

The feature family for the 2012 Winter Walk was the Bridges. Christina experienced her first seizure at a figure skating competition in New Orleans in 2004. She had surgery to remove her right temporal lobe in 2006. Her seizures continued, however. She had additional surgery in 2009, which left her with weakness in her left hand and loss of her peripheral vision. She is currently enrolled in the EMT-Paramedic program at Cuyahoga Community College.

"Christina is the most amazing person I know," her mother, Cheryl Bridges, said. "I want to thank the Epilepsy Association for recognizing my daughter. Christina is a great role model and living proof that people with epilepsy can overcome the obstacles they deal with on a daily basis and pursue their dreams and goals."

Online fundraising is a major component to the fundraising effort. The Winter Walk online contributions were "much higher" in 2012 than they have been in prior years according to Sanniti.

"The economy's getting a little better and we're known now," she said.

One of the biggest obstacles for those with epilepsy to overcome is that it is not as frightening as might be perceived according to Sanniti, a registered nurse who has cared for children with epilepsy.

"I think the thing about epilepsy is that it scares people," Sanniti said. "If we can help people understand why people have seizures, what to do when they have a seizure and that's to protect them so they don't hurt themselves, that's the biggest thing."

Events like the Winter Walk are helping researchers make strides each and every year to finding a cure for epilepsy including developing different drugs that help to manage seizures better.

"This is a great event. It's a wonderful opportunity to bring together people in the epilepsy community to raise awareness and funds," said Kelley Needham, executive director of the Epilepsy Association of Northeast Ohio. "It continues to grow. There are so many people that inspire me and the work that I do. Their strength and ability to work through a lot of difficulties and come out with a great attitude is very inspiring."

There were individuals and teams walking to raise money and awareness. Each person or group of people had a story to tell. One such story came from the 30-person Team Nino.

Nino is the nickname of 3-year-old Anthony Ezzo. He has had epilepsy since he was six months of age.

"He has a gene mutation that is causing epilepsy," Melissa Ezzo, Nino's mother, said. "He's actually doing very well. We are here to support a cause to find a cure. We found out that more people have epilepsy than we first thought."

Strongsville resident April Walsh serves on the board of trustees for the Epilepsy Association of Northeast Ohio. Her 45-year-old brother, Scott Kingsbury, has been living with epilepsy since his early teens.

"When he was younger it was difficult because he had seizures multiple times a day," she said. "He had surgery when he was 22. He has not had a seizure since. Epilepsy never really stopped him. Just because people have epilepsy it doesn't make them different than anybody else."

Another Strongsville resident that serves on the board is former Ward 2 Councilman Ray Haseley. He has been involved for the past six years.

"When they asked me to be a part of this I was thrilled," he said. "The organization brings people in to speak who have been touched by the Epilepsy Association. It brings tears to your eyes. When you mention epilepsy everybody takes two steps backwards because they don't understand it. I still don't understand a lot of it, but after talking with some of the doctors on the board I understand it a lot better. Their work is so important."

Vendor tables were scattered throughout the lower and upper levels of the mall for information gathering. Certain sponsors were also part of a scavenger hunt.

Local entertainment was also part of the Winter Walk festivities. The Studio 82 dancers, St. Edward Trash Talkers, and Amanda Panfil performed at Center Court of SouthPark Mall. The Trash Talkers are spawned from the likes of Stomp and The Blue Man Group as they drum familiar songs on trashcans. Panfil played and vocalized pop/folk songs to an appreciative audience.

Mark March 26 on your calendar. This is "Purple Day," the global day of epilepsy awareness. It is a day to wear purple in support of those afflicted by the disorder.