From his career in the Army to a life-changing medical diagnosis in his 30s, Ryan O’Connor doesn’t view life’s obstacles as roadblocks but rather as challenges he can overcome.
O’Connor, whose nickname is “ROC,” spent time as a cook in the Army, helping to serve in the name of freedom before having his own taken away by seizures that started at the age of 36. More than a decade later, O’Connor’s epilepsy is an ongoing battle and a force to be reckoned with.
“You might not see my medical condition on a daily basis, but it is there and it’s a hidden monster I have to deal with,” he said. “There are 3-4 million Americans at this point that are walking around with active epilepsy. I don’t want people living in the shadows anymore.”
Though some might consider such a diagnosis as a stroke of bad luck, epilepsy has been a well of strength for O’Connor to draw from — especially as he walks 1,000 miles from Florida to Missouri to help others who struggle with seizures.
“One day, I thought, ‘What can I do that a lot of people can’t do?’ … I can do nine, 10, 12 hours on a treadmill without even thinking,” O’Connor said. “I want to be a voice.”
The Army veteran set off from Longwood, Fla., on Oct. 1, walking 22 miles and reaching Mount Dora by nightfall. Ultimately, he hopes to achieve distances of 30-40 miles per day, walking as many as 100,000 steps to reach his destination — the headquarters of 1st Phorm, one of ROC’s favorite supplement companies.
Marissa O’Connor, Ryan’s wife, is following his footsteps while driving a rented RV, which will help provide rest stops and a place to sleep on the way. In addition, she’s helping to promote ROC Stop Seizures, the 501(c)(3) the couple established in the name of epilepsy awareness and research.
