Storm Brock joined the Canadian Armed Forces shortly after high school, enrolling as a combat engineer and later serving as a vehicle technician.
It was a dream job that took the young Ottawa man to the Northwest Territories, the Yukon and Alberta, fostering friendships and a community that have outlasted his time in the military.
But just one year into his service, while posted to the 5th Canadian Division Support Base Gagetown, Brock had a seizure. He said he woke up in the hospital not knowing where he was, his age, or his roommate standing at his bedside.
According to Brock, this was the beginning of a series of persistent seizures that would eventually force his medical release and turn into a years-long battle with Veterans Affairs.
Brock’s seizures would often leave him crumpled on the ground with convulsions, loss of breath and consciousness. Unable to drive a vehicle or, more important, hold a weapon, it became clear his career choice was no longer viable.
“I think it was about 12 seizures before they started thinking about the release of me,” said Brock, now 26. “Within the Canadian Armed Forces … you have to be able to do a combat role at all times, so it really gave them no option but to release me.”
Storm Brock was posted to 5th Canadian Division Support Base Gagetown when his seizures began. (Submitted by Storm Brock)
Brock’s five years with the military may have been limited,
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