On 9 Feb 19, I collected Jenny for a book club meeting. As we pulled the cork on the first bottle of wine, she mentioned that her feet felt weird.  We all had a good laugh at the idea of 'floppy-feet' and attributed it to the wine.  I dropped her home and was shocked to get a phone call at 06:30 the next day from a scared and distraught Jenny to say she was in hospital.  She had been unable to walk on waking up.  

Jenny didn't leave hospital for 3 months.  The diagnosis of Guillain-Barré syndrome came out of the blue, and the impact on her life was devastating.  A keen runner, cyclist and tennis player, Jenny was now struggling with the basics of life, her motor skills hugely compromised by the condition.  G-B is a rare autoimmune condition affecting the peripheral nervous system, usually leading to temporary or long-term paralysis. Around 80% of those with GBS will make a good recovery, but between 5-10% of people will not survive and the other 10-15% may be left with severe mobility or dexterity issues. 

Jenny has spent the last 3 years putting her heart and soul into the best recovery she can achieve.  She is gritty and determined and has fought exhaustion and despondency to get back to her old self (she says she is only 90% - but she is her harshest critic).  In May we are doing the iconic Coast to Coast cycle ride which is a challenging 137 mile route from Whitehaven through Cumbria, across the Pennines to Tynemouth.  I'm full of admiration and gratitude that Jenny is now able and willing to do this with me, and it's testament to how far she has come since 2019.  We want to use the opportunity to raise money for GAIN.  

The smallest donation will be gratefully received and will be used by GAIN to help people understand and manage both acute and chronic variants of the syndrome, raise awareness, and promote clinical and non-clinical research into these conditions. For more info visit www.gaincharity.org.uk