Erin C. McShea '02

Hiked the Appalachian Trail to benefit the Danny Did Foundation
July 2016

In spring, Erin C. McShea ‘02 and her partner Joe Vlasek set out on an adventure of a lifetime. They are spending an anticipated four to six months in the wilderness, hiking the Appalachian Trail from Maine to Georgia, on a journey that will put their strength and endurance to the test. And while staying hydrated, avoiding sunburn and meeting their mile-markers are daily objectives, Erin and Joe have a greater goal in mind: to raise awareness for epilepsy and honor Erin’s siblings, Kristin McShea ’07 and Justin McShea ’04, who both live with epilepsy.

Epilepsy is a seizure disorder that affects people of all ages. An estimated 65 million people worldwide and 2.4 million Americans have active epilepsy, making it the fourth most common neurological disorder.

The onset of Kristin’s epilepsy occurred when she was a sophomore at Loyola. She first seized during her morning choir class and had to be rushed out of school on a gurney by paramedics. “It was not the best way you want to be noticed in high school,” Kristin recalls. After she returned home from the hospital on the very same day, Kristin seized again.

Erin’s sister would discover that she suffers from grand mal seizures, which are characterized by episodes of unconscious convulsions. After a difficult post-college period of increased seizures, Kristin has been able to stay healthy and seizure free for the greater part of the last two years. She is now active on the Young Professionals Board of the Danny Did Foundation, which focuses on raising money to provide devices that detect seizures and alarm family members at their onset.

The foundation is named for the child of Mariann and Michael T. Stanton ’88, Danny Stanton, who passed away in 2009 just before his fifth birthday from sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP). The name of the foundation comes from the last line of Danny’s obituary, written by his dad: Please go and enjoy your life. Danny did.

“For the longest time, I was wary about telling anyone about my seizures or even that I had epilepsy,” Kristin shares. “The Danny Did Foundation helped me find my voice and recognize that the obstacles I was facing were just that—obstacles. I was not alone in this fight against epilepsy.”

“Kristin approached us about hiking the trail for the Danny Did Foundation, and we immediately agreed,” recalls Erin, who has a love of travel and adventure. After graduating from Indiana University in 2006, Erin moved to Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany, where she worked for the Department of Defense. Always up for a challenge, Erin has completed sixteen half marathons, one full marathon and several triathlons.

“Now, Erin is taking on this latest challenge to hike the Appalachian Trail,” says Kristin, “and, as usual, she is approaching it with the same motivation and drive we’ve always seen in her.”

The Appalachian Trail spans 2,190 miles and passes through 14 states between Springer Mountain in Georgia and Mount Katahdin in Maine. Nearly three million visitors a year enjoy the trail’s majestic views and what the Appalachian Trail Conservancy calls sacred space. While single-day and short excursions have become popular bucket list items for adventure seekers from around the world, only the most driven hikers attempt to complete a full thru-hike. Of the thousands of individuals who undertake the 2,000-mile journey each year, only about one in four succeeds.

Though scenic, the trail—which takes between four and seven months to complete in its entirety—presents a number of health and safety risks. Inclement weather, poisonous flora, wild animals and sanitation are just a few of the ongoing concerns. In addition, physical exhaustion, dehydration and illness pose serious threats to even the most seasoned hiker.

Kristin draws a symbolic connection between Erin and Joe’s hike through the Appalachian Trail and her own struggle with epilepsy. “They are climbing over boulders and facing detours, which are like the obstacles that come with epilepsy,” she says. “Both represent the most difficult physical and emotional struggles that an individual can face.”

Erin and Joe have already conquered Maine and New Hampshire and are currently in Vermont. “They’re doing really well,” Kristin beams. “Their biggest challenges have definitely been the terrain, biting flies and squirrels stealing their food.” Kristin laughs when retelling a conversation she had on the phone with Erin. “You know the city girl has changed when she is talking to you on the phone and nonchalantly says, ‘Oh, I think there is a squirrel under our tent.’”

While their adventure can be unpredictable at its best and perilous at its worst, Erin and Joe are staying positive. “The people we’ve met so far, the incredible hospitality of towns and the support from family and friends continue to drive us down the trail,” Erin says.

Together, Erin and Joe hope to become 2,000-milers by Halloween—an ambitious timeline by all measures. “Loyola was a great stepping stone for having high expectations in life,” Erin reflects. She credits her time spent on Loyola’s track and field and cross country teams as the foundation of her fitness and endurance training.

“Erin and the entire McShea family epitomize the Loyola mission of service to others,” says Thomas F. Stanton ’94, executive director of the Danny Did Foundation. “The awareness and funds they raise will do a lot of good for people who face epilepsy. Beyond that, we know that Erin and Joe will carry Danny’s spirit with them on this big adventure.”

The couple has achieved nearly half of their $10,000 fundraising goal, which will benefit the Danny Did Foundation. “Every epilepsy case is different, and every seizure is different,” says Kristin. “So the fundraising that Erin and Joe are doing will go to research, preventing deaths and, hopefully, finding a cure.”

To learn more about Erin and Joe's journey, please click here.

For updates and recent news, follow Erin and Joe on Facebook.

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Erin C. McShea '02

Loyola Academy