Lands End to John O'Groats - please sponsor our TEAM to complete the challenge!

starting Saturday 1st August 2009!

I am cycling 1000 miles with my 2 sisters, from Lands End to John O'Groats in memory of my brother Alyn, who died 2 years ago after many years of 'living' with MS.

This would be no easy task, but I also have the additional handicap of having quite severe Cervical Dystonia (otherwise known as Spasmodic Torticollis), which thankfully is being treated brilliantly by my consultant Neurologist through the NHS, to whom I am eternally grateful.  I would not be able to undertake this huge challenge without his expertise helping me to overcome my disability.  I have been given Dysport (a form of Botox) to treat my Dystonia for about 5 years now and only 3 years ago I was unable to cycle, walk in a straight line, eat a meal without a twisted neck, or even have a conversation with friends without huge personal effort.

I am one of the many who had no idea what was wrong with me when one day in 2003, my neck started twisting to my left shoulder leaving me scared and, when no diagnosis was available , (my doctors did not have a clue) , massive anxiety and depression that I never want to return to.

It was only the Internet that helped me to discover what was wrong.  It took me 8 months to pluck up the courage to type in my symptoms, scared that I might also have MS.

I decided that this cycle ride should be taken in aid of raising awareness of Dystonia, so that others like me can find out what is wrong, quickly and get it treated as soon as possible.  So many GP's still have never heard of Dystonia.

The Dystonia Society is working really hard to raise awareness and I would like to support them in this by raising money to help them.  They are doing a fantastic job and I have been a member ever since my firm diagnosis.  They provide great support to people like me, and people with many other types of Dystonia.

During my cycle ride, I will be wearing my Dystonia Society T-shirt and doing my best to raise awareness as I go along.  Please support me by helping the Society to continue to do it's excellent job.  If you happen to see us along route, starting on the 1st August 2009, give us a cheer!!

Follow our journey in our BLOG.  We will need your words of support to keep us going when it all gets a bit tough!!

Check it out at      TEAMGBR RIDE THE UK!

Thank you

Barbara

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