Dr. Simon Stevenson, director of the Harvey Lindsay School of Real Estate & E.V. Williams Center for Real Estate, is taking a health challenge and turning it into an opportunity for support and awareness.
This summer, Simon completed the London Bridges and Tunnel Challenge in Support of Encephalitis International. The challenge involved walking the length of the River Thames in London from Hampton Court to Woolwich, crossing all 27 bridges and two foot-tunnels along the way -- a distance of 43 miles in just two days.
In 2017 Simon was diagnosed with viral meningoencephalitis (a combination of meningitis and encephalitis) after being hospitalized following a seizure. The form of encephalitis he contracted was due to the HSV1 virus, the same virus that causes cold sores. HSV1 Encephalitis carries a 70-80% mortality rate if untreated. Thankfully in Simon's case he was diagnosed quickly and placed on anti-viral's within 24 hours and came out of hospital after three weeks.
As with all brain injuries there can be many long-term effects, such as heightened sensory sensitivity. In Simon's case these were complicated as the HSV1 virus had also caused rhabdomyolysis, a muscle-wasting condition. He therefore has to actively manage both neuro and physical fatigue. After another seizure earlier this year, on the day of the ODU Real Estate Market Review, Simon was also diagnosed with epilepsy. That seizure and him being unable to drive for six months led him to spend the summer back in the UK and so the idea of the fundraiser took shape. The challenge would also not have been possible without the work of ODU Monarch Physical Therapy, who have worked extensively with Simon to help build back up his muscle strength.
The challenge started by Hampton Court Palace in West London. On the first day Simon walked 20 miles to Wandsworth. Day two, and the remaining 23 miles, went through Central London and then onto to Canary Wharf, the financial district developed in the old docklands, and Greenwich before finishing in Woolwich. As he has been over the last seven years, Simon was supported over the two days by his wife Alison and their children, Nathaniel, Thomas, Abigail and Ruby. They kept meeting up with him on route with new provisions and to walk parts of the route with him.
The effort raised over £3,000 (equivalent to over $3,900) for Encephalitis International. This included contributors from many people at ODU and Hampton Roads, including a generous donation by the Hampton Roads Chapter of the Institute of Real Estate Management. Encephalitis International is based in the UK and is the world's largest dedicated non-profit for encephalitis. In addition to offering substantial support to those affected, they fund scientific research and organize conferences and symposiums to advance understanding of the condition.
More on Simon's journey is available here, while he is already planning his next adventure.