Thank you so much for sponsoring me, I owe you a big hug!!

Am I nuts for agreeing to do this triathlon - yes most probably. Is it going to test my determination and grit - hell yes that's why I'm doing it!

Those who know me, know I love to push boundaries and prove that life is all about what you can do not what you can't.  In the past I've ridden horses through the Mohave desert in Arizona, zip lined down the ski jump at Holmenkollen in Norway and taken an off road wheelchair down a red mountain bike trail! 

In case you don't know me - even bigger thanks for considering sponsoring me & Louisa - I have a condition called Congenital Muscular Dystrophy. It's a slowly progressing condition that I've had since birth which affects all muscles.  When I was 12 I developed Kyphosis Scoliosis (twisting and curvature of the spine) as my muscles couldn't hold my spine up any more.  I had a full spinal fusion, metal rods inserted and lots of wire bows to hold it all together(the X-rays are very pretty).

My everyday life is affected as I tire easily, relying on crutches (lovely pink ones), or my funky off road wheelchair (also pink) to get about. It's not just my mobility, everything from getting dressed, making a meal and just breathing at night needs support from either a machine or a person.

It doesn't stop me having a very full and exciting life.  I work full time for Comrie Croft - and eco holiday destination where I'm assistant manager looking after reservations, groups and marketing. I'm a drummer in the local Comrie Pipe Band.  You're probably wondering how that works - we attached a drum stand to my manual chair and my dad pushes me along in time with the rest of the band.

DSUK - Disability Snowsports UK, was introduced to me by my boss at work. They offer lessons to people like me as well as training the winter Paralymic team. Ciara convinced my dad to get me a lesson for my birthday, the minute I was zoomed down the slope at Brehead I was hooked!

I now love to ski! I try to have a lesson twice a month. It is the most exhilarating and challenging thing I do. How do I manage it?  Well I use a sit ski and hand held outriggers which help me change direction and I have the lovely Louisa behind me attached by tethers.  She's my brakes and moral support, there to stop me or hopefully catch me if it all goes a bit wrong.

Over the last 18 months I have gone from being taken down the slope, to having stabilisers and Louisa very close behind supporting me, to now being a lot more independent and having Louisa mainly just stopping me at the bottom.

As they are a charity they rely on fundraising to be able to train the wonderful instructors and volunteers as well as buying new equipment.  I'm taking part in the triathlon to help with this.