A Cat in a Pack, an Epilepsy Walk by the Sea, and a Community Coming Together
Updated: 1 day ago
Reflections on Walk 4 Epilepsy Monterey Bay
You know it’s going to be a memorable day when someone arrives with an Epilepsy Support Cat in a backpack.
Mia and her cat were among the highlights of our September 19 Walk 4 Epilepsy Monterey Bay at Lover’s Point in Pacific Grove. Add families driving from the Central Valley and Marin County, wonderful community partners, and the Pacific Ocean as our backdrop—and we had plenty to feel good about.
Good Company—and One Uninvited Guest
We also had plenty of company! Scuba divers, a beach cleanup group, and a family reunion were all enjoying the park alongside us. It was a fun mix of people out making the most of a beautiful place.
And then there was our uninvited seagull. Clearly comfortable around people and very practiced at begging, he even tried to fly off with a beanbag from our cornhole game. Happy to have him join us, but we do ask that guests leave the equipment behind.
A Little Pacific Grove History, a Little YAWE Spirit
Pacific Grove has been bringing people together by the sea for a long time. It began as a seaside retreat in 1875 and, a few years later, welcomed the Chautauqua movement—gatherings built around learning, music, conversation, and community. That sounds pretty familiar! We came together to share resources, connect, and support one another, with Jordan’s playlist providing the music. Our version included sweatshirts and a cat in a backpack. I can’t speak for the original Chautauqua crowd, but I think we fit right in.
Otter Stops, Sweatshirts, and Personal Touches
Our “Otter Stop” gave walkers a chance to pause and take a picture with our photo frame. Back at our gathering area, people wrote notes on our banner. I love those personal touches. We get to keep a little piece of the day, in people’s own handwriting.
Our sweatshirts were another highlight, designed by Hailey on our team. So fun to see something she created being worn by our community—and a pretty practical choice for a day on the coast!
Coast to Coast, with Love from France
Our Walk reached beyond Monterey Bay—all the way to France! Our friends at Fondation Épilepsie–FFRE invited their community to join Walk 4 Epilepsy on September 19, alongside their young adult group, JACE.
Their invitation was wonderfully simple: walk wherever you like, with whomever you like, for as long as you like. No minimum distance—just a shared desire to make epilepsy more visible. They encouraged people to photograph their walks and share them to help spread awareness.
Members of our YAWE team also took part virtually from their own communities. I love that there were so many ways to be part of the day. You didn’t have to make it to Lover’s Point to help people living with epilepsy feel seen and supported.
Different scenery, different time zones, and one shared purpose. A heartfelt thank-you to our friends in France and everyone who joined us from afar.
The People Who Made It Possible
I was especially touched that families made the drive from the Central Valley and Marin County to be with us. That takes planning, time, and effort. As a mom, I know that getting out the door can be an accomplishment all by itself. Thank you for making the trip.
We were happy to have NAMI Monterey County and Salud Para La Gente join us, sharing resources and getting to know our community. These relationships matter, and it was lovely to have time together in person.
A big thank-you to our sponsors, UCB, SK Life Science, and Neurelis. We appreciated having representatives right there with us—meeting families and being part of the day.
And our volunteers! Heather and Katherine from our team joined the wonderful Santa Catalina students to help bring the day together. Tyler, our Treasurer, did anything and everything that needed doing. Apparently “Treasurer” also includes a very generous “other duties as needed” clause!
Everyone who helped with check-in, activities, setup, and cleanup made such a difference. There are a lot of moving parts behind a “simple” walk. Anyone who has packed up an event knows the last trip to the car is somehow never the last trip.
Connection That Goes Beyond the Walk
What stays with me most are the people: families showing up, young adults connecting, partners taking time to listen, and volunteers pitching in.
That’s why we do this. Living with epilepsy can feel isolating, and opportunities to be together matter.
Thank you to everyone who helped make the day possible. If you missed the Walk, come join us for a Peer Support Group or Workshop. We’d love to see you.
Just leave the beanbags, please.
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