A story about overcoming an epilepsy diagnosis

Imagine spending years building a career doing something you love, something you’re genuinely good at, and then, without warning, a single seizure takes it all away.

You might think you have to give up your career entirely, and that would be understandable. Or, you could adapt to your new circumstances, find a way to stay in the field you love, and create new opportunities for people just like you.

That sounds easier said than done, but it’s exactly what motorsport commentator Chris McCarthy did. Chris combined his personal experience with epilepsy and his passion for motorsport to launch Purple Sectors, an initiative that has raised thousands of pounds for the charity Young Epilepsy.

Along with his fundraising efforts, this initiative has helped young people with epilepsy to build skills in fields they might once have thought were completely out of reach.

For those who might not be familiar, Young Epilepsy is a UK-based charity that provides specialist support and campaigns for the rights of children and young people affected by epilepsy. They also collaborate with experts at Great Ormond Street Hospital and University College London to deliver healthcare services and research aimed at improving diagnosis and treatment.

Who is Chris McCarthy?

Chris McCarthy began his career racing karts at the age of 13, competing at both club and national levels over five seasons in junior categories before a trackside seizure brought his racing career to an early end.

In motorsport, anyone who suffers a seizure automatically loses their racing licence for a minimum of five years, only regaining it once they’ve been seizure-free for an entire year. Unfortunately for Chris, he never reached that benchmark.

Like many who are diagnosed with epilepsy, it took time for Chris to come to terms with his condition. It was an adjustment for his family, too, as they had no prior history or experience with epilepsy. This is the reality for many families of young people with epilepsy, which is part of the reason Chris is dedicated to working alongside Young Epilepsy.

The charity helps young people and their families better understand, manage, and navigate life with epilepsy.

While epilepsy forced Chris to step away from the driver’s seat, his heart remained at the track. His life had revolved around motorsports, and suddenly his future felt uncertain.

However, rather than letting epilepsy dictate his future, he used it to forge his own path in motorsport. Ultimately, it led him to a career he loves just as much as racing, and one that allows him to help others along the way.

From Class Project to Career

Not only did Chris have to deal with the sudden end to his racing career, but he also had to navigate life at college with epilepsy.

He had enrolled in a TV and film production degree around the time of his first seizure. As part of his studies, he began filming karting races at Whilton Mill, the very track where he used to compete, and turning them in for his coursework. His camera work was clearly a hit, as pretty soon several of his classmates were joining him.

If you are somebody who watches motorsport, you will agree that while great camerawork is vital, commentary plays a key role in helping viewers follow the racing action.

So, to enhance his coursework, Chris started recording and adding his own commentary to those karting videos. That decision proved to be the springboard for his now very successful career in sports commentary; currently, he serves as the official lead commentator for both FIA Formula 2 and FIA Formula 3.

Chris’s journey with epilepsy is ongoing, and he has been very open about his struggles with the condition.

His resilience and achievements make him a great example of not letting a diagnosis define you, but that’s not the only reason we’re highlighting his story.

Chris has gone one step further, using his platform to raise awareness for epilepsy and to raise vital funding for Young Epilepsy.

Setting Purple Sectors

Chris McCarthy is the founder of the initiative Purple Sectors. In motorsport, a ‘purple sector’ refers to the fastest time set by a driver in a specific section, or sector, of a track. The initiative adopts this term to encourage young people with epilepsy to set their own personal ‘purple sectors’ by chasing their goals.

Through Purple Sectors, Chris teamed up with sports broadcasters Jennie Gow and Neil Cole to host a sim-racing fundraiser called Setting Purple Sectors. The annual event typically features 15 teams, each led by well-known figures in motorsport, battling it out over a two-hour virtual race.

The core idea behind this event is to give young people with epilepsy, who aren’t able to compete on a real track due to their condition, the chance to race alongside their heroes on state-of-the-art simulators.

Previously, this event has drawn support from familiar names in the motorsport world, including Formula 1 driver Isack Hadjar, Formula E star Sam Bird, Sky Sports F1 commentator David Croft, Formula 2 driver Jak Crawford, and many more.

The race is live-streamed, giving viewers the opportunity to bid on fantastic prizes, such as signed F1 merchandise, with all proceeds going to charity.

The event offers motorsport fans a fun opportunity to come together and support a great cause, with last year’s event raising over £10,000 for Young Epilepsy.

Beyond sim-racing, the initiative has expanded to provide bespoke media and interview training sessions for young people. The next training event will be hosted by Neil Cole at Whilton Mill on the 8th August that will cover everything from the basics of TV and journalism to practical techniques for feeling confident in front of a camera during interviews. 

They are also working hard at giving young people with epilepsy the opportunity to gain real-world experience by working with industry professionals, whether that’s shadowing camera crews or sitting in with commentators during live Setting Purple Sectors events.

Young people living with epilepsy often face challenges when pursuing a career, from unpredictable symptoms, workplace stigma, or strict physical restrictions.

It is completely understandable why many shy away from stepping into fast-paced industries like motorsport. But inclusive initiatives like this, and stories like Chris’s, prove that an epilepsy diagnosis doesn’t have to stand in the way of following your passion.

You can get involved with Purple Sectors by taking part in their live-streamed sim-racing events, signing up for media training workshops, or contributing to their fundraising efforts.

Stay up to date on upcoming events and fundraisers by following Purple Sectors on Instagram.