I have decided to attempt this challenge for my little sister, Ciara, who has Rett Syndrome. Ciara is now 8 years old (3 years younger than me). She was diagnosed when she was 2 years old and when I
was 5. The day my parents told me, I didn’t understand at that time what it really meant, but I knew for a while that something was wrong with Ciara because she couldn’t stand up and couldn’t play with toys like other children do.

Rett syndrome means that Ciara can’t do most things that we can do. Her disability means that she can’t walk, talk, eat and much more. She has been in hospital many times and still has lots of seizures, which are scary to see.

Now when I look back, I feel incredibly sad because of all the things that Ciara has not been able to do and still can’t. When I am running around playing with my little sister Sofia, I can only wish that one day I will be able to do the same with Ciara. This is why I am attempting this challenge, as I want Ciara to be cured.

My challenge will be to climb three of the highest mountains that are often used in the Tour de France. The first mountain will be the Col du Galibier on Monday August 20th. The summit of this mountain is 2645 metres above sea level. The next day I will try to climb Alpe D’Huez and is 1850 metres above sea level. This is the one that I most like watching the professionals race up. The next day I will be attempting to climb Mont Ventoux. The summit of this mountain is 1912 metres above sea level and has three different routes up to its summit. I intend to ride up each of the three routes over 1-2 days.

I have chosen the 3 summits because I enjoy cycling and love watching the Tour de France with my Dad. He has done some incredible cycling challenges for Ciara and Reverse Rett and I really want to do a cycle
challenge with him. He has gone over two of the mountains that I will be
attempting, but Mont Ventoux will be a first for both of us.

I know that I am very young to be attempting this, but I really want to do a big cycle challenge myself to help find a cure for Ciara and to support Claire House Children's Hospice who have been so supportive to Ciara and our family. As well as providing respite care for Ciara, they have also provided sibling support to myself and my youngest sister, Sofia. I really enjoyed the day trip to the Chillfactore and the weekend trip down to London, where we camped out overnight in the Natural History Museum. I hope that with me being so young, this will help me raise as much money as possible for my sister. 

All donations will be very much appreciated and thank you for taking the time to read my story.

Michael xx

#itsallaboutthegirls

#teamciaracycling

#ciaracenturions

#clairehouse

#reverserett

#vivelafrance

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