On a sunny afternoon on the 3rd of June 2023 I found myself in my local A&E with suspected Bells Palsy - the left half of my face was paralysed. They asked me if I was able to walk to have a scan, and I said sure. I got half way down a corridor and my left leg gave way, and shortly after this I developed weakness in my left arm and shaking in both of my hands. I also experienced some severe brain fog and slowed speech. They did tests to check if I had a stroke - and thankfully I hadn't. They told me they suspected I was experiencing functional neurological issues, but couldn't confirm anything at the time. I was given a course of steroids for the Bells Palsy and sent home in a wheelchair.

In a matter of 24 hours I went from a fully physically and mentally independent thirty-something year old adult, to completely dependent on the care of my girlfriend Skye. Skye's life changed overnight; she had the choice to walk away from the new heavy weight responsibilities of being my carer, but she chose to step up to the challenges now facing us both.

We are both neurodivergent with mental health issues. At the time Skye was struggling to look after her own needs, so the prospect of having to look after me too was overwhelming.

Social services recommended referral to Derbyshire Carers Association. Derbyshire Carers Association provided the much needed financial support via grants needed to start facing my new mobility challenges. I was able to purchase a walker and a self-propelling wheelchair with one of the grants. Skye was able to organise and pay for a cleaner to help us keep on top of the housework. Derbyshire Carers Association provided Skye with a community outreach worker who she could talk to about the various new stressors that being my Carer brought her, and helped her with practical things such as applying for a blue badge and organising an occupational health assessment for me. Without Derbyshire Carers Association I do not know how either one of us would have managed with our new reality.

It is nearly 18 months on and with self-directed physiotherapy on a treadmill that Skye bought me for my birthday this year, I have built up enough strength in my left leg to graduate from wheelchair to walker to now walking using a single crutch for balance. Yesterday I got the good news that a referral to my local NHS Neuro Rehab Physio team had been accepted, although I don't know how long it will be for a first appointment. I decided that, while I wait to start Neuro Physio, I would challenge myself to a couch to 5km style walking challenge on the treadmill, and to do this in aid of a local charity. Derbyshire Carers Association were the first charity that came to mind as deserving of any funds raised from this challenge I have set myself.

I will be walking 100 miles (or 161 km) over the next 6 weeks starting on Monday 4th November, as follows:

Week 1 - 3 km daily

Week 3 - 3 km daily

Week 3 - 3.5 km daily

Week 4 - 4 km daily

Week 5 - 4.5 km daily

Week 6 - 5 km daily

I will be posting an update video on YouTube at the end of each week following my progress throughout this challenge I have set myself, and posting the links to these videos here and on my social media accounts.

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