Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.
Some of you will know I have a muscle condition known as McArdle's Disease. I have had it since birth, but was only diagnosed here in Singapore 5 years ago - I am soon to embark upon undoubtedly the biggest physical challenge, (some might say the first), of my life joining a group of fellow McArdle's people walking across Wales. They start on 2nd July. I will join them around 14th July and walk from then, starting near Dolgellau, until 2nd August, when, no doubt very stiff, we will, hopefully, finish the journey in Cardiff. I should mention that all donations go directly to the charity and the trip for all walkers is entirely self funded.
McArdle's has played its part in making me who I am - it stopped me doing some things, though I am quite lucky in to date being only relatively mildly affected, though on occasions it has felt so much different, but it has made me adapt and find my niche.
Diagnosis in 2005 came as a relief - my blogs below gives the details, and hopefully some insight into the disease, while the third link explains the disease in detail:
http://mcardlesandme.blogspot.com/2007/01/undiagnosed-recipe-for-humiliation-and.html
http://mcardlesandme.blogspot.com/2007/01/relief-of-diagnosis.html
http://mcardlesdisease.org/
Since diagnosis I am better able to cope with the disease and knowing how to exercise, following with the help of the fantastically devoted Dr Alfred Slonim in New York. This has enabled me to view this walk as a possibility -Although to most people this would be a relative stroll for me it will undoubtedly be the biggest physical challenge of my life.
I hope to raise funds for McArdle's but also to raise awareness of the condition, as I am convinced, like me, many people go undiagnosed and are therefore unable to benefit from learning coping mechanisms.
Funds raised will go towards helping people with the disease mainly through producing a DVD to help show them how to cope as best they can with the condition.
I will keep my McArdle's blog updated on training progress etc:
http://mcardlesandme.blogspot.com/
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