Story
<p>On Sunday 29th January 2012, I'll be running 10 miles around Canterbury to raise money for CHARGE.</p>
<p>My daughter Bethany was born with CHARGE association. This is a genetic disorder that can result in a mutlitude of problems including <strong>C</strong>oloboma (of the eyes), <strong>H</strong>eart problems, <strong>A</strong>tresia, <strong>R</strong>etardation (growth and mental), <strong>G</strong>enito-urinary and problems with the <strong>E</strong>ars (abnormal appearance and deafness).</p>
<p>Bethany was born with heart problems (VSD and Ebsteins anomaly) that have required open heart surgery. She was also born with choanal atresia (blockage behind the nose) which has affected her ability to breathe and swallow. Again surgery has been carried out to help rectify this but she still needs to be fed through a tube whilst she gets used to being bottle fed and start swallowing. Her ears are also abnormal and she has definite partial deafness. To add to her problems she also sufers from facial palsy (paralysis) on the left side. Luckily her eyes are fine and she loves looking at peoples faces. She has a great deal of recognition and smiles when she sees her mummy (but not daddy-he's too ugly). She has been in hospital since she was born (November 2011) but she is improving all of the time. We hope to get her home in the near future. Despite all her problems, im sure you'll agree from her picture that she's absolutely beautiful.</p>
<p>There are many children with CHARGE and they display symptoms of varying degree incuding deaf-blindness (no hearing and no sight) which is heart breaking to see.</p>
<p>Whilst there is no cure for such a condition, we can try and raise money to support the families, the children (and adults) who have it and the professionals who work with them.</p>
<p>The 10 mile run is only a week away so i've not given much time to donate prior to the event. However, you can still donate afterwards. This might be better for most as there's no guarantee that i'll get through it alive!</p>
<p>Thanks to you all, Matt.</p>