Story
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<p><span class="419450913-08022012"><strong><span style="font-size: x-small;">My Story</span></strong></span></p>
<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></span>For those of you that don’t know me or my sister, after many attempts and failures we have finally got in this year to run the 26.2mile <strong>London Marathon</strong>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have run smaller distances for many years and always wanted the challenge of running this distance and also the opportunity to raise money for those less fortunate than ourselves. I myself have had many challenges during my life but have always believed that hard work and dedication is fundamental to success.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As a young girl I was diagnosed with alopecia (extreme hair loss) and was for a time treated badly by peers and others around me who didn’t understand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Today I still have hair loss but no longer suffer as I am able to accept myself for who I am regardless of what some people may view as normal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This experience ultimately made me realise that inner strength can conquer challenges in life but also that giving back to the world is equally as important.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For this reason I have chosen to run for the Stickler Syndrome Support Group which looks to raise awareness of Stickler syndrome amongst the medical profession; promote the value of early diagnosis for adults and children with the condition to help preserve vision, particularly the prevention of blindness in children and adults.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I believe this to be a worthwhile cause and we are looking to raise as much money as we can before we hit the start line in London in April.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It would be appreciated if you could make a donation to my cause.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Any donation you give will be greatly appreciated by the Stickler Syndrome charity and also personally by me and my sister.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The support we receive is a big factor in the dedication we have to the intense training we have already started so if you could make a donation you will be adding to our strength on the day as well as over the next couple of months.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will be doing some short blogs thanking some of you guys and girls for your support as well as keeping you updating on our training progress.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Please feel free to forward on and share this email.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lastly I would like to wish you wherever and whoever you are a blessed new year, I hope you meet any challenges head strong and when fortunes finds you appreciation by its side.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">Louisa Gee & Donna Oxbrough</div>
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