Sports | Monday 17 October, 2016 3:24 pm |

Spurred by ub-cool co-founder Medina Ilyassova, an epilepsy survivor, the ub-cool team will take part in the Spartan Race in Muscat, Oman on October 21 to raise epilepsy awareness.

Having been the victim of epileptic bouts for over 14 years, Medina Ilyassova knows the strength it takes to deal with and overcome epilepsy. Now, the ub-cool co-founder will lead her team in demonstrating strength, endurance, and perseverance at the Spartan Race in Muscat, Oman on October 21, 2016.

Epilepsy is a group of neurological diseases characterized by epileptic seizures, which can range from brief and nearly undetectable episodes to long periods of vigorous shaking (wikipedia.org/wiki/Epilepsy).

After suffering from uncontrollable epilepsy for over 14 years, Medina Ilyassova underwent risky brain surgery two years ago. Now epilepsy-free, Ilyassova's lifelong goal is to raise awareness about epilepsy and educate society about this condition.

"This is especially vital in many countries in the Middle East, Africa, and Asia, where epilepsy is often treated as a mental disorder and epileptics are stigmatized in their own societies," notes Ilyassova. "We want to bring a message that epileptics are normal people, who live normal lives, overcoming all challenges and sometimes achieving much more than others. We want to make a real difference."

The Spartan Race is a series of physical obstacles that the participants must overcome. By participating in this difficult challenge, the ub-cool team hope to inspire others to overcome their own obstacles and grow to become stronger people.

"Epileptics are the same as you and me. They go to school, they have families and jobs, they become successful artists, entrepreneurs, athletes, politicians. Epileptics can run marathons, become Olympic champions and even presidents," says Ilyassova.

By participating in Muscat's Spartan Race, Ilyassova and the ub-cool team hope to inspire others to find the strength to overcome their own obstacles. "When life gets harder - challenge yourself to get stronger." - KushandWizdom.tumblr.com