LAUGHING THROUGH THE STORM: OTTAWA FIRE TRUCK PULL CELEBRATES JANE ROGERS’ STORY OF RESILIENCE

Ottawa author’s new memoir brings humour, honesty and a powerful perspective to life with epilepsy

The Ottawa Fire Truck Pull is pleased to celebrate the release of Laughing Through the Storm, a new memoir by Ottawa author Jane Rogers that offers an honest, hilarious and deeply personal perspective on living with epilepsy.

Diagnosed with epilepsy at just 13, Jane has spent more than three decades navigating seizures, specialists, side effects and some seriously unexpected hospital adventures. Rather than allowing those experiences to define her, she has found a way to face the challenges with resilience, sarcasm and a healthy sense of humour. Laughing Through the Storm shares that journey while exploring the unexpected laughter and joy that can be found in some of life’s most difficult moments.

A Story of Resilience

Jane describes herself as an “accidental expert” in epilepsy. Diagnosed at 13, she has lived with the condition ever since, navigating more than three decades of seizures, side effects and hospital experiences with grit, humour and plenty of perspective. Laughing Through the Storm is her first book — a tribute to resilience, ridiculous moments and finding light in the darkest places.

The memoir doesn't pretend that living with epilepsy is easy. Instead, Jane brings readers into the realities of her experience while demonstrating that even difficult and unpredictable circumstances can contain moments of absurdity, laughter and unexpected joy.

And Jane certainly knows how to find the funny side.

One of the book's fun facts reveals that Jane once had a seizure during a comedy show — and she still insists the comedian owes her one.

A Meaningful Connection to Epilepsy Ottawa

Jane's story has a special connection to the Ottawa Fire Truck Pull.

Epilepsy Ottawa is one of the event's two charitable recipients, alongside the Ottawa First Responders Foundation. Through the Fire Truck Pull, participants, teams, sponsors and supporters come together to take on an extraordinary physical challenge while helping make a difference for important causes in our community.

Celebrating Laughing Through the Storm is a natural extension of that community connection.

Jane's story helps shine a very personal light on what it means to live with epilepsy. It reminds us that behind every diagnosis is a person with their own experiences, challenges, relationships, sense of humour and story to tell.

For the Ottawa Fire Truck Pull, supporting Epilepsy Ottawa means helping raise awareness and supporting people and families affected by epilepsy. Jane's willingness to share her own journey provides another opportunity to encourage understanding and conversation around a condition that has been part of her life for more than three decades.

Finding Light Through the Storm

There is something particularly fitting about the message behind Laughing Through the Storm.

The Ottawa Fire Truck Pull is built around resilience — people coming together, accepting a challenge, pushing themselves beyond what they thought possible and doing it in support of others.

Jane's story reflects that same spirit in a very different way.

Her storm may not involve pulling a fire truck, but her journey demonstrates the strength it takes to keep moving forward when life doesn't always go according to plan.

And sometimes, she reminds us, the best way forward is to find something to laugh about.

Jane lives in Ottawa with her husband, Pascal, and their two chihuahuas, Junior and Bailey.

The Ottawa Fire Truck Pull is proud to celebrate Jane Rogers and the release of Laughing Through the Storm. We congratulate Jane on sharing her story and are pleased to help shine a light on epilepsy and the important work of Epilepsy Ottawa.

Because sometimes, even through the storm, there is a reason to laugh.