As many of you are probably aware, I have always loved running, but the last few years have been an uphill challenge because I have been recovering from both Meningitis and Lyme Disease. My story is not something I find easy to write about as I am naturally a very private person. However, I have been given an amazing opportunity to run the New York Marathon for Meningitis Research Foundation (MRF), who have been with me every step of the way with my ongoing recovery. I would like to share part of my challenging journey with you in hope of raising your awareness of the cruel disease and brilliant work carried out by MRF. 

In December 2014 I was rushed to hospital after collapsing and was diagnosed with Meningitis. What followed was a very tough year of recovery, sadly resulting in hearing loss in my right ear, alongside many other horrible side effects. After a battle on the road to recovery, in 2016 things seemed to be on the up and I ran my first ever marathon. Unfortunately, my luck didn't hold and in October 2016 I was bitten by a tick whilst doing a Park Run. Three weeks later I was back in hospital being diagnosed with Lyme Disease which alarmingly turned into Meningitis again. Since then, it has been one long, uphill battle to regain my health. I have barely been able to run and the road to recovery has been a very long dark tunnel; one that is ongoing with endless hospital appointments, brain scans, blood tests, infusions and all things grim. Even today, daily tasks have become a struggle and I am in constant pain, suffering from permanent loss of hearing in my right ear, tinnitus, balance and nerve problems, joint stiffness / arthritis, chronic migraine: just some of the after affects you can get from Meningitis and Lyme Disease. 

MRF have been absolutely amazing in helping me in my ongoing recovery. Ever since I was bed bound in hospital in 2016, I had said when I am strong enough to run, I would love to run a race to raise funds for MRF. Currently recovery is incredibly tough and my right hip is being eaten away by arthritis, which is going to need to be replaced within the next year. However, the doctors have just given me the "ok" to run one more marathon before they operate. Whilst growing up watching Papa Trivedi run numerous marathons and me running the London Mini Marathon for Middlesex, it has always been my absolute dream to run the world's largest marathon - New York! 

The wonderful people at MRF have always been on the other end of the phone, reminding me I have to keep fighting and not to give up, and that there will eventually be light at the end of the tunnel. Being able to cross that finish line in NY is not only going to mean so much to me personally and for my own recovery journey, but also it is so important to me to be raising awareness for such an important life-supporting charity. I hope to inspire and remind others in similar situations not to give up on their dreams, regardless of whatever recovery throws at them. 

There is no doubt this is going to be one of the biggest challenges of  recovery yet, and a case of remembering "pain is good" and 100% mind over matter. I am absolutely determined to reach that finish line.  I have a great medical team who have said I am crazy to try and achieve the impossible but I am determined to give it my best shot. I am training and running with the "You Only Live Once" (YOLO) approach! I am also incredibly grateful to have my AMAZING #TeamPurple close to me who, I know, will be with me every step of the way. They have reminded me many a time when recovery has almost defeated me "The best view comes after the hardest, steepest climb".

I would be thrilled if you would sponsor me and in doing so support MRF in helping to create a "world free of meningitis".

Thank you very much in advance for your support - it means so much to me.

Devkee xx

#ThisGirlCan #RoadToNY #TeamPurple #ImpossibleIsNothing