We are coming together on May 16th for the Texas Epilepsy Walk Amarillo because this cause is incredibly close to our hearts.

Our son Wyatt Barton, a recent 2025 WEST PLAINS HIGH graduate, passed away tragically and unexpectedly on October 6, 2025 due to SUDEP - sudden unexpected death in epilepsy patients. He is forever 18. Wyatt began his epilepsy journey on the RANDALL HIGH SCHOOL football field which ended his career in sports during his freshman year.  He continued to have seizures about once per year until his senior year, when they became more frequent and severe when he was officially diagnosed with epilepsy that spring. Despite the adversity, he had his most successful year of school with excellent attendance and academic performance while also holding down a job and a busy social life. He had many trips to the ER via ambulance due to injuries he would sustain, but the worst came the night before his high school graduation when he had 2 back to back tonic clonic seizures that resulted in an ICU stay due to rhabdomyolysis (kidney failure). He insisted that he still attend his graduation and put off treatment until after the ceremony, and everyone was in awe of his determination. Wyatt became very driven to make his future plans after that and enrolled in college despite not being able to drive. He advocated for himself and his emergency seizure plan while attending Amarillo College's technical campus.  He introduced himself to his professors and his classes boldly by informing everyone about his brain disorder, what typical happens when he seized, how to administer first aid, and also where he kept his emergency meds and how to administer them.  We were so shocked by how much he had grown up!  He was holding friends accountable to their future and even landed his own diesel mechanic internship at a well known shop off I-40. He worked his tail off and was proud of his successes, as were we! He was talking about his faith tand was proud to regain his driving priviliges. All was going so well until that night when he seized at home in the middle of the night with no warning or opportunity for us to help him. We are shattered by his loss, however we won't settle letting him pass away due to such tragic circumstances without continuing to battle for him and for others like him. This has now become our life's work!   

Thank you for loving our family through this tragic loss!

Our Mission: We aren’t just walking for awareness; we are walking for action. Our team is participating in the SFA Challenge to help West Texas beat Dallas-Fort Worth and Houston/The Woodlands in Seizure First Aid certification (on-demand, 90-minute class). By supporting our team, you are funding the four pillars of the Epilepsy Foundation Texas:

• Clinics: Providing specialized medical care

• Camps: Sending children to summer camp at no cost.

• Education: Spreading life-saving Seizure First Aid (SFA) training.

• Mental Wellness: Supporting the emotional health of the epilepsy community.

Help Us Reach Our Goal: Whether you join our team as a walker or make a donation, you are bringing more Community, Care, and Hope to the 1 in 26 people living with epilepsy.and the 1 in 1000 estimated epilepsy patients who are lost to SUDEP. 

Take the Challenge: Don’t forget—if you join our team and get SFA certified by May 9th, you help us become "SFA Champions" and help the team get entries into the $1,000 VISA Gift Card drawing! learn.epilepsy.com. If you have been certified in the prior 2 years, send a copy of your certificate for credit (hey teachers and nurses - I'm talking to YOU)!