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I have decided, in the light of recent events, to complete my challenge in a slightly different way.  Instead of walking the 280 miles between Plymouth and Birmingham, (which could expose me to any number of dangers and cause even more unnecessary stress to my family and friends), I will walk between my home and place of work (a round trip of 12 miles) for 25 days – completing 300 miles in total.  I work in a school – I will therefore officially complete the mileage only on school days; it is also my intention to involve the children I work with in plotting my progress on a daily basis on an enlarged map. I will also have the opportunity daily to update the Just Giving pages.

 

Thomas has thankfully recovered well following his surgery last July and this is why I feel it is time to finish what I started as soon as possible albeit in an alternative mode. I will begin my walk on Monday 6^th June 2011 and finish on the 8^th July 2011.  The T-shirts I had printed last year carry the logos of all five charities along with the Donor Card logo and will be worn throughout the challenge. Please read on to get some idea why I feel compelled to complete this mammoth walk.

 

My youngest son Thomas was born with a Genetic, Metabolic Disorder called Tyrosinaemia Type 1, an extremely rare and life threatening condition, which normally requires immediate liver transplant. However with specialist and predominantly experimental treatment (medical & dietary) at Birmingham Children’s Hospital and monitoring at Derriford Hospital, Plymouth, Thomas thrived.

Regular visits between these hospitals were pivotal to Thomas’ continuing care and is the reason for my need to complete this challenge. 

Following the discovery of a tumour, Thomas battled through two life-saving liver transplants in 2005 and major surgery on his lungs in 2008. My family endured terrible anguish and emotional trauma throughout this time. As I was preparing to complete the walk last year Thomas was preparing to take part in five events in his fourth Transplant Games.  He was also studying to sit his A Levels despite missing two years of school. Just as we thought life was beginning to settle down for Thomas, another tumour was discovered in his lung and he underwent major surgery last July – Thomas has recovered brilliantly and has successfully completed his first year on a hospitality foundation degree.  My husband, Thomas’ older brother Jason and I are so proud of his approach to life.

There are five pages set up to raise funds and awareness for the charities that have supported my family throughout Thomas’ illness, they are: The Children’s Liver Disease Foundation, Transplant Sport U.K, Birmingham Children’s Hospital Red Balloon Appeal fundraising for the Liver Unit including Wards 8 & 9, CLIC Sargent and The Children’s Happy Hospital Fund which supports Derriford’s Paediatric wards. Please donate to one or all of the named charities – I know your support will be greatly appreciated.

I would also like to raise awareness for the importance of signing the Organ Donor Register and of Genetic and Metabolic Disorders in Children.