When runners gather for the start of the Dublin City Marathon Sunday October 30th, one amongst them will have a unique struggle on her hands. Her name is Katie Cooke. Katie is epileptic since the age of 9 and suffers about 15 seizures every day.

Katie is more than her illness and running is more than an exercise for Katie. Two years ago Katie left hospital aged 17 in a fragile condition and confined to a wheelchair. Since that time she has made an incredible recovery one that she owes in large part to her running, in short, running has transformed Katie’s life.  Despite long-term stays in hospital and frequent seizures, she is determined to live as normal a life as possible.

In July of 2015, supported by her neurologist from St. James hospital, Katie ran a mini-marathon and finished in 54 minutes.  During the race she had three seizures.  She woke up to crowds around her telling her to ‘take it easy’ but she explained that she just had to get up and keep going, that she had no time to lose.  Running and training have become a way for her to gain control over her a body, a body that frequently controls her.

We follow Katie over three months as she prepares for the Dublin City Half Marathon held on September 24th in the Phoenix Park.  As well as preparing for this race Katie has had an otherwise busy summer.  Sitting the leaving cert, the post leaving cert holiday with friends and her debs have all been squeezed into her busy schedule.

If you would like to find out more about Epilepsy or wish to speak to anyone about the condition, please contact Epilepsy Ireland on 01-4557500, that's 01-4557500 - or visit their website www.epilepsy.ie  http://epilepsy.ie

First broadcast Saturday 29^th October 2016 at 2pm; repeated Sunday 30th October at 7pm.

Produced by Jason Murphy and Tim Desmond.

Sound supervision by Mark Dwyer and Liam O'Brien.

Additional recordings by Bridget Nicholas and Katie Cooke.

An Irish radio documentary from RTÉ Radio 1, Ireland - Documentary on One - the home of Irish radio documentaries.

1) 2017 Prix Italia - Winner of Best Radio Documentary 2) Gold Medal Winner @ 2017 New York International Radio Festival (Human Relations Category) 3) Gold Winner at 2017 IMRO National Radio Awards - Best Radio Documentary